Stub Axle and Transmission Questions

[carguytroy]

My son has become quite the VW nut and now along with our Karmann Ghia we now are proud owners of a 1973 Bus. It does not have an engine or transmission in it, but I have located both and I plan to go pick them up next week. The stub axles are kinda rusty where the CV attaches to them. Looks like the trans has been out of the van for quite a while.

Can the stub axles be “restored” like sand blasted or electrolysis or should I purchase new ones?

Here’s a few pics of the bus and the trans I found. I would like to know if this is the correct one for the year. I’m going to buy it anyway,but I’m just curious on if it’s correct for a 73 or what year it’s from. And if anyone is familiar with the passengers in the third pic how do I make sure there aren’t any more of them?

[brandt]

That bus looks solid from here and looks like original paint that could clean up nice!

By stub axle you mean on the wheel side? Perhaps post a photo of those and I'll bet you'll get more replies.

That looks to be the correct trans. There should be a number on it someplace to be certain.

[carguytroy]

Here’s a pic of the numbers on it. Like I say I’m still going to buy it. Picking it up tomorrow actually. Just curious about the origin of it. And how to get rid of SCORPIONS!! There were a few dead ones in it and really don’t want to find any live ones. It’s pretty cold where I’m at, but it came from a warmer desert area.

By stub axles I mean the wheel side that the tire mounts to. Can’t get a great pic and they actually don’t look overly rusty after looking a little closer. Just black. I would like to clean them up a bit and put new bearings in. Could I media blast them or put them in an electrolysis bath?

[Wildthings]

The cavity in the stub axles is likely just filled with old dusty encrusted grease that can be cleaned out with a few paper towels and rags.

Your transmission is a 002 three rib which would be stock for your year. Seeing the weird mount, I wonder if it didn't spend some time in a buggy and is beat to sh*t because of it.

If you rear hub (wheel) bearing aren't damaged in any way, you may be better off to just change the seals and repack the bearing as they may well have more life left in them than new bearings will give.

Most important is making sure the brakes work like new, including changing out the flexible rubber hoses, and making sure your tires are up to the task. 14 year old badly underrated tires just don't hack it. Its important to make sure the fuel system is in A-1 condition with all new quality hoses, preferably carrying a SAE 30r14 rating.

[SGKent]

if they are truly rusty you can remove them, repack or replace the bearings and seals, and glass bead the axles, wash the glass bead dust off then inspect them closely.

Scorpions molt like many insects. You are looking at the molts. The scorpions are still running loose. I'd spray that bus well with an insecticide that kills them and black widows. Then pressure wash the underside. Vacuum out the crevices. There is no telling where they are hiding. Scorpions can climb walls and hang from the ceilings. One thing about them is that they fluoresce in ultraviolet light so get a black light and look around the bus, and any place you have stored it. If they are there hiding you'll see them fluoresce if even a small part is exposed. There was a special once on TV on them - some guy tells the TV guy - "we don't have any and haven't seen one ever here in Phoenix at our home." TV guy says, "Can I come back when it is dark?" Guy says, "yes." At dark the TV fellow shows up with a bright portable black light and shines it around as soon as he gets out of the car. There are hundreds of them all over the property glowing.
_________________
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