manual transmission dipstick?

[stevensj13]

Alright guys, my axle seals are leaking. I put in one kit on one side, haven't test drive it yet, we shall see if it leaks. I had an idea, Could one drill a hole in the package tray area, and then drill a hole in the fill plug on the trans, and get a dipstick from car of sorts, and epoxy that in as to have a way to check and fill gearbox oil without climbing under the car and fighting with the fill cap? Just a thought I had, and I may give it a shot if I come across a free or cheap dip stick tube of the right length.
_________________
Current: '73 standard (yellow) '76 standard (rust/gold )
Sold:
1967 Baja Bug
1973 Super (x2)
1971 Super
1968 bug on CJ 5 chassis w/ super swampers
1970 Baja

[bluebus86]

yeah you could do that, do I think it is a great thing, no, because it could be a source of leaks, opening up a package tray and using a dip stick careful not to get oil spilled is not my idea of easy, and I am not saving much under car time, cause I don't check often (I do check for leaks) maybe every year or more usually cause the car is up in the air for some other reason.

jacking up the car is not hard to do, if too difficult find some one that can do that for you. Once you fix the leaks and check for drips, you should not worry about tranny lube for many many miles. use a little Teflon tape on the threads, and do not over tighten, the case is soft! it is a tapered thread and thus has not a hard stop point until failure.

Now engine oil, I check that often, cause my motor does consume oil!!!!!!

I really don't think the idea is worth pursuing unless it is just to satisfy a desire for uniqueness rather than practicality on the part of the owner!!!!
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[jhoefer]

[stevensj13]

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

Dont over think the simple.... Your pinkie ( or suitable finger) is the best dipstick.. .... if you can touch the fluid when the transaxle is cold.. the level is ok.
Buy a set of car ramps...

Since you seem to enjoy fabricating.. make a easy peazy plug remover from a bolt with a 17mm head.

Really not too sure what you're fighting.. Its a simple process.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

[stevensj13]

Being able to check the level and fill the transaxle (biggest point) without climbing under it and using a pump is what I'm shooting for here. Wouldn't it be nice to pull out a stick, see its low, grab your bottle, toss a little in there, and 30 seconds later be ready to go? Rather than making a half hour process of getting the car in the air, cracking open the nut, sticking your pinky in there, noticing its low, grabbing your jug of oil and pump, pumping it in, check it, tighten the bolt, wipe up the mess, get your car off the jack stands, and then go on your way? If I spent 2 hours developing and building a dipstick/filler it'd be worth it IMO to totally avoid the stock filling process for the rest of the cars existence.
_________________
Current: '73 standard (yellow) '76 standard (rust/gold )
Sold:
1967 Baja Bug
1973 Super (x2)
1971 Super
1968 bug on CJ 5 chassis w/ super swampers
1970 Baja

[VWCOOL]

Your cog-box needs servicing/checking about once every decade... takes 20 mins... To make the task easier I take off rear wheel and stick a hose in the filler hole, at the other end I have a funnel. Easy!

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

^ exactly... thats only one of the many easy ways..
10 -20 minutes tops...

Hint..
You'd love a Corvair transaxle...

Seems youre hell bent to do this...Just drill a strategic hole in the top of the case... and pipe thread tap it, use pipe and build your own stick and plug.

If you drill the fill plug, add a dipstick tube..which should eliminate the ability to remove the fill plug... how ya plan to fill it or top it off?

Im all for saving time, and ease of maintenance..plus I love fabricating.. but.. this isnt one Id ever need to do.

Go for it....... reinvent the mousetrap.. and post what ya come up with and its longevity.


.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

[crvc]

Was there ever a place to add tranny oil? I saw a very old bug that had a wide tube on the passenger side, diving down below the tunnel.

thx

[stevensj13]

[VOLKSWAGNUT]

To fill thick gear oil through a dipstick tube..... it would take longer.
As you fill air must escape at the same rate. The transaxle vent hole is a tiny hole. If you try to fill through a dipstick tube quickly.. air will burp out the same tube your filling with.. messy and slow. It would take a large tube.

You have a good idea... I just dont see the need to maybe save 5 minutes.



.
_________________
aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited

[VWCOOL]

[my59]

Just thinking of the stench of gear oil makes it no wonder the original fill point is under the car.
_________________
my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget.

[mrmdls]

My 67 had been leaking at the axle boots by the looks of it at least 20 years, and I would bet that that the transaxle oil had never been changed.The gear oil was everywhere and was so thick, and sticky, that I had to use a screwdriver to remove the sludge from the axles, and even to see the actual shape of the lower z-bar mount points, When I drained the transaxle oil, it was black thick sludge.

[bluebus86]

you will still need to get under the car to drain the tranny. once the car is up and you have access, it is not that much more effort to fill tranny from below and check level.
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[drscope]

Since you want to make big modifications for a simple problem, I think you need to do what we did on the Sebring and Daytona endurance race cars.

Install a pump in the transmission to pump to an external cooler for the gear oil, then put a reservoir in line that you can fill and check the level in.

Or just do like VW intended and use your finger.
_________________
Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch!

[Jon Schmid]

manual transmission dipstick?

Why?

[drscope]

[ZENVWDRIVER]

...guess you know, all Type 1, pre Zwitter Splits had a removable access panel in the rear luggage area, behind the back seat because the trans had a fill plug on top of the trans and that's how one got to it to check and fill. I have cut a square access in the package tray behind the seat and purchased one of those split panels to cover the hole...checking and filling the trans with access on the side of the trans is much easier from the top then from under the car.
Some guys will only do what is factory stock, while others realize that VW was not perfect and take matters into their own hands.
Through this access panel, a variety of parts are assessable...the starter and clutch adjustment, gas filter, trans check and fill and the top 2 bolts that hold the engine to the trans are right there...this removable panel is not stock after Sept. 1952, but it should have been continued. It's great!
Your idea is a good one...really think it through though. There is always more than one way to do everything.
_________________
5/50, pastel green 11G - SOLD
8/50, gray 11A Beetle
6/52, pastel green 11C - SOLD
11/4/52, black Zwitter - SOLD to my little bro.
1954 Porsche, pre A, with VW 36 horse- SOLD
1/54, black 11C Beetle - TRADED
2/55 Iceland green Beetle, on a 1965 pan
3/55 113 Beetle, stratos silver
1955 Messerschmitt KR175 - SOLD, sadly
1960 single cab
1962 SO33, with SO 42 interior
9/63 Pacific blue, Ghia
'87 Toyota MR2
'02 WestFORDia E-150, GAVE TO OUR SON

All super-heroes, wear a MASK

[drscope]