Date:         Mon, 8 Mar 1999 04:13:04 EST
Reply-To:     Jwilli941@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Todd Hill <Jwilli941@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: shifting from 1 to 2- reply
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

  cdcaston@NNI.COM writes:

<< From reading your post regarding the grindy tranny (moving
from 1st to  second) that's worse when  cold, should a rebuilt
trans with "new synchros" do this? >>

Using a broad paintbrush here........

Depends on the brand of syncros that were used and some
other factors.  I generally use Diehl brand syncros in my Type I
and later Type II gearboxes.  They are from Brazil but have a
high quality control and have never given me a problem.  I did
look at a set of syncros from them for a Vanagon gearbox that
I was doing but rejected them because they were the old plain
brass style and not the molybdenum coated later versions. I
use Laso (German) in my 091 gearboxes because they are
OE to VW and are the coated style.   I wouldn't think that even
if you used the Diehl brand in your 091 that you would start
having this sticky syncro problem so soon after a rebuild.  W/O
saying anything here the other builder might have reused the
old syncro rings on this particular job.  The last 091 transaxle
that I did had plenty of life left on the syncro rings from a wear
standpoint but I replaced them with the late style coated ones
anyway.  This seems fairly common with the later watercooled
gearboxes.  I have several sets over in the 'what do I do with
these parts' bin that were replaced simply because they were
not the coated version.

FWIW-  I sell these 091-1 rebuilds for $995.  I could use the $40
(my cost) Diehl's on my 091 rebuilds and probably wouldn't have
a failure during the warranty period.  I simply choose to use the
$100 (my cost again) Laso's as I feel that why do a job halfway?
I could use the less expensive Diehl brand and pocket the $60
but would lay awake at night worrying about them sticking.  And
if I worry about something then its not worth the $60 difference!

Why is Dave and Sherrie's trans sticky from 1st to 2nd when
cold?  I would guess that the brand and weight of gear oil as
the likely culprit with the syncros playing a part as well.


-Todd Hill
 VolksWerks Transaxles
 Olympia, WA
 360-412-0948