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Vnyd Dog Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2015 Posts: 384 Location: Napa
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Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2019 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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I cut off the ears on each side and have it set pointed up on a piece of 4x4 and am using a 2lb mini sledge and old screw driver and chisel. It does feel like the wood block underneath isn’t allowing the force to do its thing. I’ll go back tomorrow and cut another section with the saw and see it it helps. _________________ '87 Westy 1.8T Conversion, Orignal Owner, European Delivery @ Westfalia factory in Weidenbrueck.
The Story:
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Slimvest Samba Member
Joined: March 20, 2014 Posts: 431 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 10:25 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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I have this new bushing on my bench but am getting concerned by the troubles some are having. Wondering if you could just take the assembly to a suspension/brake/alignment shop and ask them to press out the old bushing sleeve. You'd need something to match the bushing sleeve diameter though. _________________ '87 GL w/ Reimo top |
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Vnyd Dog Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2015 Posts: 384 Location: Napa
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 10:41 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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Slimvest wrote: |
I have this new bushing on my bench but am getting concerned by the troubles some are having. Wondering if you could just take the assembly to a suspension/brake/alignment shop and ask them to press out the old bushing sleeve. You'd need something to match the bushing sleeve diameter though. |
Given how much I've banged up and marred my mount, I'd suggest spending a few bucks $30, for a new mount to bang on. Then, if it doesn't work out, you're OE mount is still in place and you haven't torn it apart. I bought mine from Burley and as you've seen, pretty beaten and mangled but, after more encouragement, I was finally able to get a section separated.
My tip is to really make sure you first use a saw and ensure you've cut all the way through the inner ring. Then use a heavy flathead to gain some initial separation between the lips.
I've not yet tried to take the step two of actually getting the bush out of the body. That's a whole nother issue. A bushing tool would need a really really thin sleeve it seems. _________________ '87 Westy 1.8T Conversion, Orignal Owner, European Delivery @ Westfalia factory in Weidenbrueck.
The Story:
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Jeffrey Lee Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014 Posts: 1488 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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A couple of important points:
1. The cut should go completely through the inner sleeve, across its entire length, to allow it to fully collapse.
2. When driving your chisel between the inner and outer sleeves, do so only on ONE side of the cut, so the inner sleeve is able to 'curl' upon itself and collapse. If you drive the chisel on BOTH sides of the cut, the cut edges can jam against one another even while being deformed, thereby preventing a thorough collapse and easy removal. _________________ Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com |
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SeacoastRed Samba Member
Joined: December 18, 2018 Posts: 36 Location: Portsmouth, NH
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:13 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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Vnyd Dog, I think if you take a hammer with a screwdriver or a nail set or some other such tool and then start tapping away on the inner ring, moving the nail set to a new location every few taps, you’ll get that inner ring to start moving and then you will be home free. You’ve done the hard work. I held my bracket itself in an old hobby vice, nothing too fancy. Maybe you can use a clamp or something like that if you don’t have a vice.
As far as cutting through all the way, I was having trouble doing that- hacksaw blade was too tired I think. I gave up on the cutting and switched to tapping and it worked great. Good luck. |
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BillM Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004 Posts: 1381 Location: Stonington,CT
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:35 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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It took some cutting and tapping the bushings in. Here is what I had left.
_________________ Bill M
87 Westy |
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BillM Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004 Posts: 1381 Location: Stonington,CT
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Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:38 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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This was the final product after paint. I think you should just pull your original
mount and install it into that one.
_________________ Bill M
87 Westy |
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Vnyd Dog Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2015 Posts: 384 Location: Napa
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uberaudi Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013 Posts: 495 Location: Hi-top Country
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Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2019 1:02 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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Way to see it through to the end! Isn't it comical how easy the new bushing goes in after the fight to get the old one out?! |
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2019 3:25 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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BillM wrote: |
This was the final product after paint. I think you should just pull your original
mount and install it into that one.
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is that your mount or a stock pic? how is the noise? I have had experience with the solid design bieing oud and happy that the updated design with the slots became available. _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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CessnaJon Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2008 Posts: 677 Location: Senoia,GA
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Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2019 6:49 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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Just installed this on my 90 multivan. As others have said, Shifting is much smoother and throttle in/out on decel is buttery. No noticeable increase in noise. Highly recommend. Wish they were available for bay windows.... _________________ 1973 Westy (shared birthday)
1990 Westy Multivan
2015 Passat TDI 6sp
2015 Sportwagon TDI 6sp
LR-JET, Gulfstream 159 |
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sanchius Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007 Posts: 1446 Location: IN
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Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2019 9:04 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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2.1L 2WD manual transmission mount pass forward offer
Vnyd Dog was kind enough to send me his spare 2.1L 2WD manual transmission mount left over from his Powerflex upgrade discussed earlier in this thread to use as a donor for my Powerflex install. Now that I’m done upgrading mine, I would like to pass forward my old 2.1L transmission mount (for the cost of shipping) to first person to respond to this thread asking for it. The expectation is that when you are done, you will pass your old mount on to another list member in a similar manner.
A donor mount is not required for this job. It is a convenience that allows your van to be kept on the road while the old bushing is being removed from the donor mount and the mount is being cleaned, painted and prepped to go back in with the upgraded bushing.
This mount is for a 2.1L 2WD manual transmission and may not be compatible with other models (syncro, 1.9L, diesel, automatic, etc). If you take part in this pass forward, please don't send the next person a smaller 1.9L mount.
Removal & Installation
I didn’t have the troubles Vnyd Dog experienced removing the bushing from the donor mount. I used Jeffrey Lee's approach first learned decades ago replacing Volvo 240 main swingarm bushings in situ. I don’t currently have a vice or a press, so I clamped the mount to my bumper hitch, drilled a bunch of holes through the old bushing rubber to soften it up and used a sawsall with a metal cutting blade to cut out the rubber portion of the old bushing. Then I carefully made two cuts through the outer metal shell of the old bushing and easily removed the shell from the donor mount. If you don't feel like doing this, you can take it somewhere and have the old bushing pressed out.
Actually removing and reinstalling the mount itself is very easy, 15 minutes if you are fast, a bit longer if you are not.
My old mount ready to come out. A floor jack supporting the transmission, remove the 17mm nut+bolt horizontal through the bushing and four 13mm bolts vertical into the beam.
The donor mount painted and installed with the upgraded bushing. CAUTION: Do not overtighten the 4 vertical 13mm bolts that hold the mount to the body because the captured nuts welded up inside the beam can be broken loose. I was not able to locate these torque specs in the Bentley, so I used 20 ft-pounds for the 4 13mm bolts and 44 ft-pounds for the big bolt though the center of the bushing (from this thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=286874).
My old mount in the shipping mail box ready to be sent on to the next person to use as a donor.
_________________ The Syncro years (2005-16) - The 2WD years (2017-23) - Westy & WBX rebuild spreadsheet - Sanchius & Tuna: The Video
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levi Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005 Posts: 5522 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2019 10:16 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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Great idea!
I'm in!
And will, of course, make the old one available for the next guy.
PM being sent with info if I am the first. _________________ One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way
https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40 |
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sanchius Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007 Posts: 1446 Location: IN
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Wellington Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2004 Posts: 1882 Location: Montreal
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2019 3:02 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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Brilliant idea on the exchange.
Levi PM sent. |
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Vnyd Dog Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2015 Posts: 384 Location: Napa
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2019 9:21 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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I’m glad the pass it on continues!! This was a great mod. Can’t believe I hadn’t payed attention to it. Excellent write-up as always L! I know my troubles were down to removing a brand new bushing and having failed to get my initial saw cut all the way across the inner sleeve! But hey, happy to see others being helped! _________________ '87 Westy 1.8T Conversion, Orignal Owner, European Delivery @ Westfalia factory in Weidenbrueck.
The Story:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=713391&highlight=life |
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vanis13 Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010 Posts: 3082 Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2019 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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so curious....are the removed donors being send with the old bushing removed by the sender or for the receiver to remove?
I can see benefits both ways....I'd fall on the side of removing it myself so I know what happened to the mount in the removal...and I believe there is more motivation to remove it when you get it rather than after you have the new one in...would allow for faster shipping.
ps, don't need to get in line, already changed mine and its and awesome upgrade. _________________ 83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace
www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make |
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sanchius Samba Member
Joined: May 03, 2007 Posts: 1446 Location: IN
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2019 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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The pass-forward transmission mount is on it's way to Levi, he's the next point of contact.
Vanis14: It'll be up to the recipient to remove the bushing.
Vnyd Dog, I forgot that you were working with a new bushing. Yeah, that fresh rubber would be a lot harder to remove than 30-year dried out rubber. _________________ The Syncro years (2005-16) - The 2WD years (2017-23) - Westy & WBX rebuild spreadsheet - Sanchius & Tuna: The Video
Your gold star membership keeps this awesome list going! |
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levi Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005 Posts: 5522 Location: Las Vegas
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Posted: Tue Mar 05, 2019 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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It's actually available to anyone who wants it, pretty much now.
I won't be able to use it, so as soon as it arrives it's ready for the next guy.
Anyone?
Bueller? _________________ One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way
https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40 |
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xclemjustinx Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2016 Posts: 197
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Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2019 9:11 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex gearbox bushings? |
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So I just purchased a new gearbox mount from Vancafe and I noticed it’s a little crooked. I do see that there are holes for adjusting the mount. Is this normal?
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