TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1969 Squareback

Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:10 am

What's up all. I need some help with my transmission. Basically I need some step by step assistance on taking out my transmission. It's a 1969 Square with the factory 1600 and the factory IRS 4-speed. I have handtools, jackstands, an extra person and a floor jack. Dropping the engine is not an option here. I am on a tight budget which is why I am attempting to do this myself. I also have a greasy Bentley (yeah!). Tell me where to start!

I just need to drop the tranny, take it to a guy so I can get the 1-2 shift fork replaced, then reinstall it. I did a search and found nothing in our Type 3 section of the forum so I am hoping that this thread will help some others out. Thanks in advance, Justin :o

Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:46 am

Justin- Hate to say it, but the only real way to do this is to take the engine/ trans out as a unit and separate them on the ground. It isn't that difficult. If your floor jack isn't heavy duty enough, rent one. It's cheap.
If you try to get the trans out without the engine, you're going to break all kinds of stuff and REALLY wind up in a bind. Don't make me have to say "I told you so" later.
For the fuel injection stuff, just unplug the ECU and fish the big plug thru the body panel with the grommet. You don't have to disconnect anything injection wise on the engine except fuel lines.

Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:44 pm

Tram, as always, knows whereof he speaks. So get out that greasy Bentley manual and follow the instructions (page 18).

Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:46 am

Thanks for the assistance. I didn't have the tools nor the help to get this done myself so I took my Square to a VW shop here in town.

He charged me $600 parts and labor. I recieved a rebuilt 1969 4-speed tranny and a new/used clutch with a 30 day warranty (he said the trasmission is a ONE YEAR ONLY type deal). I wanted the old tranny so I could take it apart and mess with it but he said he is keeping it as a core. Does this sound right considering the money I paid? Did I get a good deal? Thanks again for any assistance...

Justin :wink:

Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:50 am

I would have wanted a longer warranty on a rebuilt trans. The core is normal and 600 bucks sound pretty fair to me. The only flag I saw was the used clutch. Why not just stick a new clutch in it?

Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:52 am

He didn't have the new clutch in stock. The used unit was in great condition he said. He also showed me my old pressure plate and clutch disc. The plate was all rusted and the disc was saturated with grease/oil, which explains the problem I have always had with the major clutch slippage.

Justin :?

Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:55 am

Was the grease/ oil on the disk from the transmission input shaft seal or the main seal on the engine?

If it was leaking from the engine it is just a matter of time before the disk gets soaked again and begins slipping.

Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:39 pm

I don't think '69 was a one year only trans. I think that '65-'66 and '68-'70 all had the same.

Sat Apr 29, 2006 5:19 am

Notched wrote: I don't think '69 was a one year only trans. I think that '65-'66 and '68-'70 all had the same.

The 67 and 68 trans would be the same due to them both being 12 volt and swing axle. The 69 is IRS (for USA spec cars), so it's different.
Actually 69 thru 72 should be the same (having 2 side covers), with 73 being a 1 year trans. That being said, you could also have used an IRS bug trans, and swapped the nose cone and hockey stick. I did that to my 70, since the original trans needed to be rebuilt. I used one from a late 73 (with single side cover) and that trans is currently in my Notch, and has a 3.88:1 in it. :twisted: The big difference between a bug and a t-3 trans is the final drive gearing, as the t-3 had a 4.37 gear vs the bug's 4.12 gear (that's with 2 side covers). This could have an effect on cooling (engine turns slightly slower, about 300 rpm less), if you use a bug trans in a t-3. Just something to think about. :wink:

Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:35 am

spoon wrote: ...He charged me $600 parts and labor. I recieved a rebuilt 1969 4-speed tranny and a new/used clutch with a 30 day warranty... I wanted the old tranny so I could take it apart and mess with it but he said he is keeping it as a core. Does this sound right considering the money I paid? Did I get a good deal? Thanks again for any assistance...

So what do you guys think? -Justin

Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:51 am

spoon wrote: spoon wrote: ...He charged me $600 parts and labor. I recieved a rebuilt 1969 4-speed tranny and a new/used clutch with a 30 day warranty... I wanted the old tranny so I could take it apart and mess with it but he said he is keeping it as a core. Does this sound right considering the money I paid? Did I get a good deal? Thanks again for any assistance...

So what do you guys think? -Justin

How does your butt feel :wink:

Sun Apr 30, 2006 9:53 am

wakywaco wrote: spoon wrote: spoon wrote: ...He charged me $600 parts and labor. I recieved a rebuilt 1969 4-speed tranny and a new/used clutch with a 30 day warranty... I wanted the old tranny so I could take it apart and mess with it but he said he is keeping it as a core. Does this sound right considering the money I paid? Did I get a good deal? Thanks again for any assistance...

So what do you guys think? -Justin

How does your butt feel :wink:

Starting to hurt now that I think about it?