Desperate! Is anyone rebuilding 003 Automatics?

[reay]

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

[KTPhil]

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.

[squaretobehip]

I would send Anthony at ISP an email. He just had an automatic rebuilt.
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1963 Squareback - Pearl White
1965 Squareback - Baltic Blue

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[LowThrum]

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.

[reay]

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

[Mike Fisher]

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

[reay]

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

[Multi69s]

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
_________________
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=

[reay]

[KTPhil]

[pedro sainz]

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

[LowThrum]

[chicagovw]

I believe that Rancho does them...

[LowThrum]

[Mike Fisher]

[KTPhil]

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.

[chicagovw]

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.

[Multi69s]

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=