Levon the 66 Westy

[Col_Forbin]

[Longboardluv]

well be here watching! Hey and if you need help with those let me know!

[Col_Forbin]

so had a good bit of progress last weekend... managed to drop the trans with the help of some beer and a few buddies!

first concern was the axle nut which went smoothly

I was a little nervous since I don't have a VW style drum puller.. but they came off pretty easy once I loosened up the brakes. helped build some momentum!

it took me while as it was my first time doing this but was a fun learning process... from researching around the samba, hitting some hurdles, coming back to samba, referring to muir/bentley manuals, and overcoming... victory!

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Goin' where the climate suits my clothes
Levon the 66 Westy:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=655780
71 Deluxe Bay

[Col_Forbin]

In the morning I moved on to opening up the RGBs and removing the axle tubes.

the harbor freight bearing separator/puller set worked well for this job.. I probably could have found a way around it but wanted to play it safe

I was told I definitely need to replace the lower outer bearing as the bearing shield/cover slips on and off very easy:

Once everything was apart I pressure washed the bus, case, and covers to help start the clean up process

awaiting my arrival this Friday:

_________________
Goin' where the climate suits my clothes
Levon the 66 Westy:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=655780
71 Deluxe Bay

[Col_Forbin]

I then boxed up everything and dropped off for rebuild. He plans to throw it all in a new case (that isn't cracked!) with 4.12R&P and 0.82 4th. Excited to get it back next week.. Thanks again for the recommendation Greg!

Should have it back to me in a week or so.. Udo did a quick inspection of my RGBs and thought they were in decent enough shape for me to check and replace bearings on my own. He did recommend changing the lower/outer bearings as mentioned above.

My axles are in decent shape luckily but two of the fulcrum plates were worn with a chip on each so will be replacing those. I'm just nervous about opening the back plate of the RGBs and fully tearing into them... I have read a bunch of threads on how to do it but am wondering if I should wait and let him handle those as well. I want to learn as much as possible in this process but also want to do it right... Any suggestions?
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Goin' where the climate suits my clothes
Levon the 66 Westy:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=655780
71 Deluxe Bay

[silkvw]

Udo is the man for trans/redux box rebuilds. But, he won't be around forever. I hope you will try to learn more and perhaps be doing repairs for others in the future.
I'm glad to see the progress on your bus! Matt is moving right along too. I stoped by to see him and Conrad today.
Keep up the great work!

Greg
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'64 single cab Big Bend Bus Bash 2015 '16
'59 camper BBBB 2017 '18 '19 '20 '22 New Mexico
'70 Ghia........Bonneville,........TX Mile,........142 mph......(sold)

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=641871&highlight=

[Longboardluv]

[Col_Forbin]

hahah, you got me there Matt... time for an update! I documented the process with a LOT of photos (as you will see ) to make sure it all went back together correctly.

I'd like to give out thanks to hazetguy and Bruce. Their two threads below were the best resources I had to get this done.. even helped more than my bentley manual!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/tech/reduction_box_rebuild/
http://leakoil.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=2888&start=330
_________________
Goin' where the climate suits my clothes
Levon the 66 Westy:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=655780
71 Deluxe Bay

[Col_Forbin]

picked up the rebuilt trans (in new case)

some time went by.. and I managed to get back to work! prepped and painted the spring plates

after lots of cursing I managed to remove the freeze plugs and retaining nut

some more time went by.. and made it back to Levon! made a little copper punch to remove the axle stub from the lower inner bearing

removed upper inner bearing

and let these dirty guys soak in some mineral spirits

made it back out and started piecing everything together:
retainer nut on and torqued to spec

freeze plug in and sealed

installed inner bearings

pressed upper gear and upper outer

snap ring in

managed to get the right side done and set axle play... 4 gaskets on this side. thinking the other will be good with 3

almost ready!

cleaned up and painted the trans mount

installed backing plates w/ new gaskets/seals

painted rgbs/backing plates

installed new brake parts after drying a few days

painted drums (also had them turned in austin)

me, excited to finally get Levon back on the ground!

if all goes well should have body work starting shortly
_________________
Goin' where the climate suits my clothes
Levon the 66 Westy:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=655780
71 Deluxe Bay

[BarryL]

Great work and lots of it!

Question I have is when you put the axles and fulcrum plates and thrust washer with internal snap ring on, did you keep the axles pushed inward the whole time since you weren't working with the center section on its side and the axle straight up in the air?

[Major Woody]

Looking good. You have obviously learned a lot through this process. The pix you took will help others in the future.

[Longboardluv]

nice gearbox and brakes! got your foundation in

[Col_Forbin]