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reay Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2004 Posts: 675
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Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 8:16 pm Post subject: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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Is there anyone rebuilding the type 3 automatics on the west coast?
I can't find anyone... _________________ Tom Reay
Da weiss man, was man hat!
68 Karmann Ghia Sunroof / auto T345
66 Standard Microbus T221
66 1200a Standard 115 with factory ragtop |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34018 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 9:07 am Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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There are threads for DIY rebuilding, and links to part numbers for rebuild kits (though some are obsolete).
This is a common design generally, so even AAMCO can do it if they get the parts and info. They may need some encouragement, though!
Tom, many of my friends and myself have used transaxle Engineering in Chatsworth (north of LA) for our manual gearboxes:
https://www.transaxleengineering.com/
They offer a 3-speed auto race tranny, but I suspect they can also rebuild stock units.
Last edited by KTPhil on Sun Dec 11, 2022 8:48 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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squaretobehip Samba Member
Joined: August 23, 2004 Posts: 3695 Location: San Jose, CA
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 9:34 am Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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I would send Anthony at ISP an email. He just had an automatic rebuilt. _________________ 1963 Notchback - Ruby Red
1963 Squareback - Pearl White
1965 Squareback - Baltic Blue
Follow ISP West on:
Facebook - www.facebook.com/ispwest
Instagram - @ispwest - www.instagram.com/ispwest |
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LowThrum Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2022 Posts: 50 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 2:57 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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I just had mine rebuilt by Dave Folts: https://www.davefoltstrans.com/
He mentioned in an off-hand way that I might be his last automatic, but you never know. Dave and his son are die-hard VW guys. They have a pretty big, busy shop so they will be around, but focused on performance and offroad manuals. |
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reay Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2004 Posts: 675
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2022 7:08 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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Thanks guys
I will check up on all those leads. _________________ Tom Reay
Da weiss man, was man hat!
68 Karmann Ghia Sunroof / auto T345
66 Standard Microbus T221
66 1200a Standard 115 with factory ragtop |
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17970 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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These guys are supposed to be good in Bend, OR.
They have 4 different ratio new AT ring and pinions for sale @ $1395.
https://www.germantransaxle.com/ _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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reay Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2004 Posts: 675
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Posted: Fri Dec 09, 2022 8:02 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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Hi all -
Anthony let me know the same know I have heard -
There was a guy, but he retired and moved way.
And we have tried German Transaxle, again, pretty much any trans but not 003s.
I will keep trying! I haven't tried Dave Folt nd Transaxle engineering yet. Fingers crossed. _________________ Tom Reay
Da weiss man, was man hat!
68 Karmann Ghia Sunroof / auto T345
66 Standard Microbus T221
66 1200a Standard 115 with factory ragtop |
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Multi69s Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 5364 Location: Lefty, CA
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reay Samba Member
Joined: July 14, 2004 Posts: 675
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2022 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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Multi69s wrote: |
reay,
What problems with the transmission are you having? Normally I would offer to rebuild it for you, but I am totally swamped, plus I am having back surgery on Wednesday. So my shop time is going to be nill for a while. You didn't say where you are located on the west coast, but you might want to check with member mcmscott. He has a shop near me in Sanger CA. Good luck |
The problem is, I could go out to the garage right now, start it up, throw it in reverse, and back up.
Then if I go a few miles, stop and put it in reverse - nothing. I have been able to rev it a little and get it move in reverse, but not always. If I wait for a while and let it cool off, reverse works again. First works all the time.
In the Bentley under trouble shooting problems the closest description is "No drive in R and no engine braking with lever at 1"
Probable cause listed as "1st and reverse band or servo defective"
But I do have the engine braking in first, even when it's warm enough not to have reverse.
Why does it only happen when its warm?
Everything is clean inside the case and looks good. The fluid level is also good.
I'm in Los Osos, near Morro Bay. Getting it to Sanger wouldn't be too bad.
Thanks _________________ Tom Reay
Da weiss man, was man hat!
68 Karmann Ghia Sunroof / auto T345
66 Standard Microbus T221
66 1200a Standard 115 with factory ragtop |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34018 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2022 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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reay wrote: |
I'm in Los Osos, near Morro Bay. Getting it to Sanger wouldn't be too bad.
Thanks |
Wish I'd known, and if you pulled it, I could have taken it south to Transaxle Engineering.. I drove to the bay area and back thanksgiving weekend!
That said, a shop might prefer to have it installed to aid in their troubleshooting. It may give them an idea what damage to look for when they take it apart. |
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pedro sainz Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2005 Posts: 1430
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Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2022 7:25 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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When you check the tranny oil
You should put it in Gear 3 and Hand brake ON
If you are LOW reverse won’t work
Probably your Grade Oil is to HIGH
When gets Warm will get so THICK
won’t go thru Filter screen
Or Maybe your Filter is Dirty
Just my 2 cents 👍 _________________ 68 T34 1600 Automatic
62 T34 Cabriolet Prototype
N.O.N.A member #3
The Truth is Out There |
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LowThrum Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2022 Posts: 50 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Tue Dec 13, 2022 9:41 am Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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reay wrote: |
Probable cause listed as "1st and reverse band or servo defective"
But I do have the engine braking in first, even when it's warm enough not to have reverse.
Why does it only happen when its warm?
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I'm far from an expert, but here is what I have learned via my own adventures getting mine rebuilt recently:
the brake bands inside are a bit like drum brakes in concept. They have a lining that wears over time and will fail to grab properly. The band would definitely warm up and lose friction just like drum brakes will fade. The brake bands are wear items and have to be relined or, ideally, replaced.
Right now, the bands are very hard to find ones that are built to proper tolerances. That just means the new ones will work, but they are too thin and won't last as long. I opted to put the "too thin" bands on mine just to get it going, after my trans shop rejected multiple.
Hope this helps, and I also hope someone with more expertise than I will correct any mistakes I may have made. |
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chicagovw Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2007 Posts: 1424 Location: Chicago IL/CHandler AZ
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Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2022 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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I believe that Rancho does them... |
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LowThrum Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2022 Posts: 50 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2022 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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chicagovw wrote: |
I believe that Rancho does them... |
unfortunately, they don't any more...same story as other places, parts aren't available other than rebuild kits, so they stopped. Harold was the guy at Rancho for this stuff but the rumor is he is retired or at least partly retired. |
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17970 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2022 4:11 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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Multi69s wrote: |
reay,
What problems with the transmission are you having? Normally I would offer to rebuild it for you, but I am totally swamped, plus I am having back surgery on Wednesday. So my shop time is going to be nill for a while. You didn't say where you are located on the west coast, but you might want to check with member mcmscott. He has a shop near me in Sanger CA. Good luck |
69s says Scott can rebuild them in Sanger. _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34018 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2022 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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Any word from Transaxle Engineering in Chatsworth? They build race automatics, so they almost certainly have access to many more parts than just the stock rebuild parts, and could do it.
At what price, however... that's another questions. They were a little higher than other shops on my estimate (stick), but they did more and the others probably would have "change ordered" me to an even higher price.
There are probably 6-7 local club members who have used TE over the last ten years, all with glowing reviews. |
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chicagovw Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2007 Posts: 1424 Location: Chicago IL/CHandler AZ
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 2:41 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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Is there a way to install an 010 in place of the 003? I know the 003 has its fans, but I've had them in 3 cars:
-1973 Bus with stock 1.7. Trans failed (pump shaft broke)> Had it rebuilt by Harold Carter (this was in the late 1990s) and that trans lasted less than a year... replaced it with a 4 speed manual and loved the noticeable gains in performance and fuel economy
1974 Bus originally with a stock engine. Trans seemed to work well enough, but eventually started slipping, so I had it rebuilt by Rancho when I had the Bus converted to Subaru power. About a year later, it lost reverse and park, but I am assuming it is from the increased HP.
1970 Fastback-trans shifts very nicely but had a bad leak. Since I am converting to Subaru turbo, I also went with a Subaru 5 speed manual trans-was going to try to keep the automatic but with the experiences I had with the 003 transmissions in the past, decided against it.
I had an 010 in my 88 vanagon, and while I wish it had an extra gear, it never gave me any issues. |
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Multi69s Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006 Posts: 5364 Location: Lefty, CA
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Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2022 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics? |
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Historically, the 003 automatic has a pretty good life span and reliability. After all, most of them have lasted close to 40 years without ever being rebuilt. By comparison, look at some of the latest transmission offerings in some cars. Your lucky to over 5 years out of them and they are not rebuild able. Even with a Subaru engine, one it good shape "should" last a long time. However, if you have a heavy right foot, a 010 would probably make better sense. _________________ 69 road Bug 2110
73 Squareback - 2L, T4, Automatic W/ AC
Gone, but many fond memories 69 Baja Bug 2010 - 5 Rib Bus Transaxle
Gone but not forgotten 72 Baja Bug 2010
My builds
T4 into Squareback http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=458944&highlight=
Auto Trans Rebuild http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=516066&highlight=
AC in Squareback https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight= |
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