TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:33 pm

So as i got off the freeway today, i go to shift into first gear and the shifter refuses to move. Im guessing thats the sudden death thing everyone talks about. Luckily it was very close to my work, and someone was able to give me a tow in, also, a local auto wrecker has a trans that he'll sell me for cheap. I guess ill be calling up gowesty for a rebuilt unit here in a little while
.

Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:02 pm

I would suggest sending a PM to john at aircooled. He may have some other options for you to look at.

Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:10 pm

Sure it is not your linkage or something in the end cap of the trans? Or did you lose fluid in your clutch? The trans usually gives warning (noise or something) before it dies. BTW: It is usually issues with 3rd or 4th that are the warning signs fo the "sudden" death syndrome.

Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:30 pm

r39o wrote: Sure it is not your linkage or something in the end cap of the trans? Or did you lose fluid in your clutch? The trans usually gives warning (noise or something) before it dies. BTW: It is usually issues with 3rd or 4th that are the warning signs fo the "sudden" death syndrome.

One agreement and one disagreement here...

Mine was "all of the sudden" (at least i didn't notice any warning signs), but it was between 3 and 4. If it is first gear, take a look at other causes, like our friendly r39o says...

-Damon

Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:41 pm

I got my shot across the bow on Friday. Refusal to down from 4 to 3. The test for to know: In gear(4 or3) at speed(45 to 65) put hand pressure on the shifter and pull/push a bit. If you feel a HORRIBLE vibration the trans is going. Go put your spare in(no spare? start hunting) and tear down the old trans, rebuild it so you then have a known good trans. :D
Total swap time: \:D/ 2 hours.

Mon Mar 06, 2006 8:59 pm

I agree. Do not let the box gernade. We finally got all the tools to do the 09x boxes. So we tried on a random freebie. It seems it blew. We could not get certain parts out the way they are meant to because it had blown. Kinda a bummer for the first try. But, it was dead to start with. Just could not get the Ring and Pinion related items out easy. PITA. But, once we got it, it was obvious that one had taken a dive. It was a 3 rib one, so no biggie. We have a multi ribber (Rhino) 094 (?) that came out of a wrecked Westy we dismantled, so I hope that is a good one. We'll see, as I don't actually care mine is an automatic and I have a good spare.

Mon Mar 06, 2006 11:40 pm

Search "German Transaxle" for the story on my search for a quality rebuilt transmission.

I did the work myself including replacement of the clutch, pressure plate, pilot bearing, throwout bearing, front engine seal, flywheel o ring, felt flywheel o ring, etc. etc.

I think my total was around $1,700 after the core return, figureing in shipping, and all the extra parts. I would have received $50 more if the trany haddn't grenaded.

Good times though!!!

Lots of beer and grease \:D/

Tue Mar 07, 2006 8:06 am

r39o, in my frustration and despair, i forgot to mention that its stuck in 4th, oops. anyway, ive got a couple leads on trashmissions, so hopefully one will last til i can rebuild or buy :)

Tue Mar 07, 2006 10:30 am

Try Long they are good: http://www.longenterprises.com/index.htm