TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Dec 24, 2005 7:34 pm

Well, after posting about my shifting issues I figured I could get by with adding some grease to the linkage and hitting the road. Got stuck in 3rd gear :x and finished the last leg of the trip. Now I am stuck in Morro Bay. I got it to shift out of 3rd gear, but now I have nothing, just grinding and whirring groaning sounds coming from the Transaxle.
I don't even have neutral, if I let off the clutch it starts to make an aweful whining sound and moves slightly. When I try to put in in gear again it feels real gummy and stiff and lurches forward whit more whining/grinding.....

I looked at the linkage again and it seems intact. The problem, as far as I can tell, is the transaxle.

This SUCKS! She purred down the road just fine and then kaput!!! At least I get to sleep in it out side the inlaws.

Is there anything else I should check?
Do I need a new transaxle?
Should I attempt to rebuild it my self?

My father is renting a flat bed and driving 150 miles on Wednesday to rescue me?

THis is like that movie where the inlaws show up with the dog and never leave because the car died....

Merry CHRISTMAS!!!!
thinair

Sat Dec 24, 2005 7:47 pm

Sounds like a clutch rebuild .
Drop the trans , replace clutch parts , put trans back , drive home .
As easy as that if you are mechanically apted and have a Bentley and a fairly good toolbox .
Alternative is $$$$$ .
Just had another thought , have you checked the clutch fluid ? Have a look at your reservoir to see if the level is down . If it is then the followingis a simple operation but may bear fruit .
Buy a can of Dot 4 brake and clutch fluid .
Obtain a 10 mm wrench , a length of clear tubing and a clear glass jar .
Put tubing over the bleed nipple at the slave cylinder to the rear left top side of the trans .
Put 1/2 inch of fluid into jar then put end of tube into jar .
With 10 mm wrench turn the bleed nipple 1/2 turn then get partner to slowly pump clutch pedal .
If nothing happens open nipple another 1/2 turn , pump again and watch for air bubbles . Keep pumping until air bubbles cease . Ensure reservoir is kept topped up.
Tighten nipple with pedal to floor and check clutch pedal .
If that was your problem you will be able to engage gears . If not it will probably be the clutch disc .
I apologise in advance if I am teaching you to suck eggs but you did ask . :wink:

Sat Dec 24, 2005 10:00 pm

If you can wait till monday, I am willing to help out any way I can... I live just across the bay in Los Osos... I will be getting back into town late sunday.. Feel free to call 1-805-215-6325...... Eric.....This is my cell and I have it with me... :D

Sat Dec 24, 2005 11:35 pm

What I guy Eric - hope Santa is good to you this year! :D
Yes, totally sounds like clutch . . and to be more specific a scattered friction disc. Don't fail to replace T/O and pressure plate at the same time -they're cheap. I like the Dayco 'Gold' discs myself. And I'd certainly check Hypoid level while under there - or give the traumatized transaxle a gift of Torco Synthetic multi while you are at it :) Good luck!

Sun Dec 25, 2005 5:51 am

AND THE REAR MAIN-PILOT BEARING

Sun Dec 25, 2005 7:20 am

i had a shifting problem on the road .i rechecked all linkage - ok
i checked the fluids -ok
i went to recheck the linkage and found the trans actually was the problem . the monting bolts came out. so this was a ezer repair than it seammed , just dubblle check the entire system .

Sun Dec 25, 2005 9:39 am

I'm no expert, but I think the clutch is not the problem. If it was the clutch I should be able to get it to shift with the engine turned off. The only way I was able to move it was by holding the clutch down while we towed it up the hill to the house I'm staying at.

CF, what mounting bolts are you talking about? I'd like to check those.

Eric, that would be awesome! I'll be here through Wednesday unless I can get this thing going. I'll give you a call Monday

Thank you all!
thinair ^^^

Sun Dec 25, 2005 1:18 pm

Well , I don't think anyone is trying to stop you buying another tranny . If that's the way you wanna go then so be it . :shock:

Sun Dec 25, 2005 7:25 pm

I don't want to fix anything that I don't have to, just trying to diagnos the problem...I don't exactly have a lot of funds theses days, just want my vanagon to goagon
:?
thinair

Sun Dec 25, 2005 7:32 pm

the bolt thayt mount the engine to trans . also check the trans rubber mount . that faces the front next to the main ground wire .

Sun Dec 25, 2005 10:05 pm

The dreaded Vanagon bad third gear syndrome? For which see...

http://www.gowesty.com/3-4syncrohub.html

I myself worry whether Winston's is the original transmission, and whether I shall have this particular gear of Damocles to worry about.

Good luck!

Sun Dec 25, 2005 10:27 pm

:shock: :shock: Oh my the symptoms match up and now I am afraid of a used trany

Mon Dec 26, 2005 9:18 am

I'm betting on the dreaded third gear syndrome. Find the nearest pick an pull, pull a few drain plugs check the fluid and pick the cleanest low mile unit you can find. I hate to see a crashed up bus but it is bitter sweet when I need a driveline component. I'm three for three on trannys and one was a syncro locker (syncros on the syncro tranny were not great but this showed up in the fluid prior to pulling it. It is the tranny I'm running now.) cost about $65.00 each. Good luck and Happy New Year.