Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 16:17:21 -0800
Reply-To: Tim King <tking_ms@MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tim King <tking_ms@MSN.COM>
Subject: Syncro Tranny Removal Procedure/tips
Hi Listers -- thanks for all the tranny advice. While I'm already putting
the fourth-gear bungee tips to use, I think you've all convinced me that I
better just do it and have my Syncro tranny rebuild sooner rather than
later. I really want my van functioning for New Years so my wife and I can
spent the last evening of 1999 camping at a ski area. I suppose I could put
it off until after then and hope my bungee cord holds. On the other hand,
Daryl at AA Transaxle is local and has quick turnaround, and I'm off work
next week, so I have time to do the remove and replace. Hmmmmm....decisions.
This must be a sign that I'm getting older and wiser. Instead of playing
fast and loose and hoping I'm lucky enough not to blow up the tranny on a
snow mountain pass, I _think_ I'm opting for a pre-emptive maintenance
strike (I can just hear Bulley clap his hands with glee!). So, the day after
Christmas, I'll be on my back on my cold driveway attempting to pull my
tranny.
What I'm looking for is tips and BTDTs. Anything to make my life a bit
easier, and the job a little quicker. The skid plate is off and the syncro
driveshaft is already out. The clutch was done at a VW dealer about 4000
miles ago, so I'm thinking I don't need to do that -- if anything, I'll
tackle that this summer when I do the 2.0L motor swap (yes, I'm going with
the higher 4th gear now). I have a floor jack and jack stands. I have a
compressor and could use the excuse to buy some air tools (though I can
borrow some, too). I have a Bentley manual that I plan to study before I
dive in. Daryl says I should allow about four hours. Any other estimates?
Tools? Timesavers?
In kind of a sick way, I'm sort of looking forward to this job (please,
don't tell my wife. I can use the sympathy ;-). I figure this job will help
me decide whether I want to tackle my engine swap on my own. Heck, if I
succeed, I'm one step closer to Vanagon independence.
BTW, this is turning into quite the car weekend and week. Also on tap:
Replacing the clutch pedal in my Audi, installing my CatPlat heater in the
Westy and installing an optima in the Westy (tip to NW listers, GI Joes
sells the Optima 750 -- yellow top with side posts - for $159. I was going
to go the dual U-1 route, but this was only about $10 more for an easy plug
and play solution).
As always, thanks for your help.
Happy Holidays to All.
Tim King
Seattle, WA
87 Syncro Westy -- 2WD, no fourth gear, still loved
89 Audi 200tqw -- clutch pedal? we don't need no stinkin' clutch pedal!
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