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Sat May 24, 2025 4:35 pm

Got a swing axle transmission in a buggy that has been sitting for several years (about 20 years). Worked fine last time it was ran 20 years ago. Should the extended time sitting automatically warrant for a rebuild, or maybe just refresh fluid, fix any leaks and run it? What would you guys do in this case?

Sat May 24, 2025 4:37 pm

Don't fix what ain't broke is my policy.

Sat May 24, 2025 4:42 pm

oprn wrote: Don't fix what ain't broke is my policy.

That was kinda my thoughts too. Thanks for the input.

Sat May 24, 2025 4:51 pm

oprn wrote: Don't fix what ain't broke is my policy.
Mine too. Monk's too.

Sat May 24, 2025 10:32 pm

Is the engine out?

I have started up and tried to run many vw's after sitting for 20+ years. I personally love it. But, From my experience, If you try to run it, the input shaft seal will start to seep gear oil, and the engines main seal will start to leak. Soon, the clutch is saturated and you need to do a clutch cause its slipping.

So the big question, is the clutch good now? if it is, doing a rear main and input shaft seal will save you time and a clutch.

Sun May 25, 2025 11:26 am

jpaull wrote: Is the engine out?

I have started up and tried to run many vw's after sitting for 20+ years. I personally love it. But, From my experience, If you try to run it, the input shaft seal will start to seep gear oil, and the engines main seal will start to leak. Soon, the clutch is saturated and you need to do a clutch cause its slipping.

So the big question, is the clutch good now? if it is, doing a rear main and input shaft seal will save you time and a clutch.

Engine had a top end overhaul, so new rear main seal installed and clutch and pressure in good condition.

Sun May 25, 2025 1:24 pm

oprn wrote: Don't fix what ain't broke is my policy.

If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!

Sun May 25, 2025 1:29 pm

The time may be ... before the last good guy rebuilding transmissions retires. ;-)

Max

Sun May 25, 2025 2:23 pm

extremebuggy wrote: jpaull wrote: Is the engine out?

I have started up and tried to run many vw's after sitting for 20+ years. I personally love it. But, From my experience, If you try to run it, the input shaft seal will start to seep gear oil, and the engines main seal will start to leak. Soon, the clutch is saturated and you need to do a clutch cause its slipping.

So the big question, is the clutch good now? if it is, doing a rear main and input shaft seal will save you time and a clutch.

Engine had a top end overhaul, so new rear main seal installed and clutch and pressure in good condition.

So if the transmission input shaft seal has not been changed, your new clutch might be getting soaked in gear oil after you start driving it again.

Sun May 25, 2025 4:00 pm

I always found it's 50-50 on wether the seals leak of not, so I don't bother till they do..
First good drive, get the trans oil warmed up and then dump it while it's hot. watch for glitter and shrapnel, and then refill. You'll have an idea of what's ahead based on the condition of the oil and what's floating in it.

Mon May 26, 2025 4:05 pm

I had a swing axle bus transaxle sitting around for about 30 years, most of the time in dry storage. I took it out of my ‘66 single cab pickup in 1988 while doing a conversion to IRS and finally got around to using it again in 2018. Other than a little gear oil seepage and some bad axle boots it had been working fine.

I ended up installing it in my ‘56 panel using a Fast Fab adapter nosecone from Rancho, new axle boots and a new input shaft seal. Other than that I didn’t really do anything to it, just snugged down all the nuts and put in some high quality SWEPCO 201 80W-90 gear lube. Been working perfectly since I began driving it in June 2019.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Tue May 27, 2025 5:24 am

When to rebuild your transaxle:

Rebuild your transaxle when someone pays you to rebuild your transaxle. The way that usually works is they pay you to rebuild their transaxle.

For heavy duty offroad use, build a "new" one off season. Toss your old one in your hauler as a back- up.

Otherwise, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Hey! Is there an echo in here?

Your transmission will let you know when it's tired. It will start popping out of gear. Reverse or the lower gears get tired sooner.

I got over 500k miles on my stock '67 transmission. The stock transmission, generator and starter nave gave me problems. My '67 transmission is waiting for my next '67 project. It's thoroughly tested by now,

.
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Tue May 27, 2025 7:37 am

I'd put a new throw-out bearing, starter bushing, fresh seals, change the gear oil and run it. You'll know pretty quick if its good or not.

Wed May 28, 2025 6:10 am

About the only time I will say it ain't broke is when I went thru it myself. :lol:

All other parts to me when I bring them home are cores. That is about it.

I will just go thru it and know you are good to go.

Wed May 28, 2025 7:17 am

Ns,

I think 99% of people including myself feel that how a transaxle works and goes together is magic. They also don't have the tools to put one back together or have the knowhow to do so.

Its odd that so many of us will build the engine but not the trans.

Thu May 29, 2025 2:09 am

The VW trans is the unsung hero. People will dump loads of cash on a motor that lasts 2 days and not a dime on a trans.

The car ain't gonna go far w/o its working trans. And the last thing anyone wants is stuck far away from home.