TheSamba.com :: View topic - $1,200 R/P (OEM)

Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:20 pm

Of course my inexpensive transmission rebuild has turned to the dark side. 4th is kissed (no big deal) and the Ring and Pinion has a small chip. So I am quoted $1,200 for the OEM R/P, and this hurts the part of me that likes to spend money wisely and not get shafted. I think the question I am staging here is, can I find a cheaper OEM R/P, and, is there a good aftermarket solution that is a suitable replacement for the OEM? I have seen them out there at 1/2 the price. Does anyone have some experience to share, or perhaps a thread that exists that I have not found in my search?

Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:35 pm

A little chip do you have a picture?

Tue Nov 22, 2011 12:49 pm

Thanks Alaric, but I do not. I sent it off to Rancho in Fullerton for the rebuild, and they just reported back to me.

Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:03 pm

Have you called AA Transaxle or Weddle?

Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:07 pm

call daryl at AA , he will do you right

Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:18 pm

I just had Daryl rebuild my Syncro trans in July (incredible work, just incredible) and I needed a new ring and pinion. $1300. I talked to the only guy who rebuilds VW transaxles in Alaska about r/p prices; $1300. I just chalked it up to the price of owning a Syncro. Daryl was really clear about the cost of those parts and how he just carries it over and doesn't mark it up. So at least you are saving a $100.

Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:52 pm

Classicvibe

Give Gary Zink a call 253-631-4004

I just had him do my transaxle and he's got a lot of parts. He's also very reasonable on his prices

Scott

Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:05 pm

Classicvibe wrote: Thanks Alaric, but I do not. I sent it off to Rancho in Fullerton for the rebuild, and they just reported back to me.
What Alaric is getting at is that the chip may be smoothed and live with it. But you have to see a picture to get an idea.

They have my good used 4th there, as I put in a different ratio. I am sure they have extras as they put some used parts in mine.

I am betting they are out of good used R&Ps. You can always gamble on a used box and have it gone through. I was about to do that, but decided to chance on my only slightly defective one as I had to take it out anyways for engine work.

On the flip side a new R&P will be quiet. My 200K+ rebuilt box makes various wihines every now and then just depending on a lot of things. But, I think my R&P must still be meshing well as I do not hear the noise I would associate with a worn out R&P.

Ask Rancho if they can smooth it out and chance it. Check for cracks, of course. Get a feel for what they think. They do really know what they are doing just like many other builders. Maybe they can find a good used one, which is a crap shoot too as it may be noisey too.

Explore you options. Didn't you really want to change final ratios anyways????

Tue Nov 22, 2011 5:19 pm

r39o wrote: Classicvibe wrote: Thanks Alaric, but I do not. I sent it off to Rancho in Fullerton for the rebuild, and they just reported back to me.
What Alaric is getting at is that the chip may be smoothed and live with it. But you have to see a picture to get an idea.

They have my good used 4th there, as I put in a different ratio. I am sure they have extras as they put some used parts in mine.

I am betting they are out of good used R&Ps. You can always gamble on a used box and have it gone through. I was about to do that, but decided to chance on my only slightly defective one as I had to take it out anyways for engine work.

On the flip side a new R&P will be quiet. My 200K+ rebuilt box makes various wihines every now and then just depending on a lot of things. But, I think my R&P must still be meshing well as I do not hear the noise I would associate with a worn out R&P.

Ask Rancho if they can smooth it out and chance it. Check for cracks, of course. Get a feel for what they think. They do really know what they are doing just like many other builders. Maybe they can find a good used one, which is a crap shoot too as it may be noisey too.

Explore you options. Didn't you really want to change final ratios anyways????

That is some great info, thanks R39o

I was changing out my 4th ratio, but I am having trouble justifying it now based on the larger tires and the abilities of the new engine. A used 4th is like $50 so that is all good. I am kicking around your thoughts on the R&P, and I will send him an email now asking if a refurb is possible. I suppose Rancho will not be interested in a warranty on that work, but on the other hand, the warranty with a non-stock engine is 6 months so it is somewhat useless anyway.

Back to the .77 4th. I would like some good highway cruising, and for tires I am considering 215/70/15 or 215/75/15, but it appears things roll just find with the stock gearing (according to the Bostig site calculator), so I abandoned that 4th options. Perhaps you are suggesting different ratios throughout?

I am emailing them now.

Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:19 am

I went from a .85 to a .82 4th.

I am driving 195R14 tires right now.

It is just fine that way.

I am going up to a 216/65-16 when I finally get all my parts together for a big bang front end job and bigger brakes. I have the tires and CLK rims and some of the bushings and what not. But not all, yet.

I was not willing to go to the .77 as the EJ22 is not "that" strong to pull that around my part of the world. With the .77 should come a different 3rd to fill the gap and, again, I just was unsure the engine could pull that to my liking. I think I am kind of right based and driving it around the way it is right now.

Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:09 am

Classicvibe,

Not to threadjack, but I take it by your mention that you are using or will use the Bostig Conversion. I have the set up you are talking about, stock Syncro gearing on a westy with 215/75R15 BFG's with a Bostig setup. If this is what you are planning on using, there are things you should know. Jim at Bostig suggested highly that I choose a smaller diameter tire setup. 215/75R15 is at the bleeding edge of what the Zetec will push around without adjusting gearing or running the turbo. It was also suggested that I keep stock gearing (which I was already planning on doing). As for how the tire size affect power, it's not bad. There is a small improvement over a stock 2.1. The take off seems better, but in the high gears you suffer a bit if you aren't way up in the RPM's. But the bonus is the RPM's. I can do most passes here in 4th (excluding low gear in count) or 3rd. You don't have to worry about being at 4500 rpm or 5000 rpm because the engine is a tank (f'ing scary though, so I don't do it much). But I live at a relatively low altitude. Even the passes up here don't go too high. If you are in the mountains and running it without the turbo, I would imagine you will suffer a loss of power with that tire size. Just throwing in my small but hopefully relevant experience.

Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:13 pm

Landsailer wrote: Classicvibe,

Not to threadjack, but I take it by your mention that you are using or will use the Bostig Conversion. I have the set up you are talking about, stock Syncro gearing on a westy with 215/75R15 BFG's with a Bostig setup. If this is what you are planning on using, there are things you should know. Jim at Bostig suggested highly that I choose a smaller diameter tire setup. 215/75R15 is at the bleeding edge of what the Zetec will push around without adjusting gearing or running the turbo. It was also suggested that I keep stock gearing (which I was already planning on doing). As for how the tire size affect power, it's not bad. There is a small improvement over a stock 2.1. The take off seems better, but in the high gears you suffer a bit if you aren't way up in the RPM's. But the bonus is the RPM's. I can do most passes here in 4th (excluding low gear in count) or 3rd. You don't have to worry about being at 4500 rpm or 5000 rpm because the engine is a tank (f'ing scary though, so I don't do it much). But I live at a relatively low altitude. Even the passes up here don't go too high. If you are in the mountains and running it without the turbo, I would imagine you will suffer a loss of power with that tire size. Just throwing in my small but hopefully relevant experience.

This is really good information, thanks. It confirms what I have heard, and what I was hoping, although the tire size is a bit of a concern, but a 215 is fine. And yes, it is a Bostig, that just shipped I might add! WOOT!

As far as the turbo goes, I don't even know the price, although I speculate it is $4k+. Of course that sounds nice. I generally do not like Turbo as they are too unpredictable, but I drove my Buddy John's Zetec Turbo and it was very smooth and nice.

Regarding the R/P, I received the following when I asked about smoothing it out:
Quote: Where the pit is it will keep cracking and chipping away and more and more until it fails completely.

Wed Nov 23, 2011 12:27 pm

Classicvibe wrote: Regarding the R/P, I received the following when I asked about smoothing it out:
Quote: Where the pit is it will keep cracking and chipping away and more and more until it fails completely.
In other words it is in a bad spot.

So either get a new ring and pinion or find a good used one (via a parts transmission, for example.)

So they have not used ones?