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rockerarm
Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2009
Posts: 3552
Location: Los Angeles
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 Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 10:31 pm Post subject: What would you do? Swing Axle Trans Options |
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Hey all. I have a friend/customer who recently acquired a '65 bug, that is somewhat moded up towards the Cal Look. The newest concern is that the trans has no reverse. This trans seems to function otherwise( no grinding during shifts and no bearing noises). In addition, the front trans mount has both 10mm studs are broken off. The owner wants to be part of the decision making process with regards to a working transaxle. I have given him lots of choices here.
My question here is what would you do with these parameters?
1- somewhat limited budget ($500-$1000).
2- we are located in the Los Angeles area.
3- there are many trans builders within a 75mile radius.
4- engine is a 1600 DP, I guess, with some small dual carbs.
5- stock dia rear tires, but willing to go with a slightly taller tire.
6- 50/50 driving between street and freeway.
7- willing to upgrade to a 4.12 ring/pinion via an IRS converted trans.
8- locate a used trans, swingaxle or irs, and convert/install as is.
Regarding the front trans mount.
1- a shop just replaces the front weld-in mount, and use good replacement parts.
2- somewhat repair the broken 10mm studs.
3- install a GB643 mid mount and use the oem fr mount the way it stands.
4- leave the existing front buggy strap mount.
Thanks in advance, Bill |
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mcmscott
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2010
Posts: 4856
Location: sanger ca
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:34 am Post subject: |
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Determine a "real" budget and fix it right.
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There are no stupid questions, only stupid people,
68 Ghia
67 T-1
65 Notch
02 Mexican beetle
74 Thing
15 Long travel rail
07 Nomad
05 f-250 |
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bugguy076
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Joined: December 11, 2007
Posts: 1068
Location: Dover, PA.
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:39 am Post subject: |
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I repaired the same problem by cutting the mount off the car. Drill out the broken studs and weld in new ones from the back. Then weld the bracket back onto the car.
Or you might be able to rethread the studs with a smaller standard size die.
With the small budget it would wise to just replace the tranny with a used one.
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1976 Drag Bug
1967 Street Bug
Last edited by bugguy076 on Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:51 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Dale M.
Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006
Posts: 20377
Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2015 7:39 am Post subject: |
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Absolute first thing I would do is replace/repair front mount...... If you do not do that anything you do is pretty much the old replace parts till its fixed routine...
http://vwparts.aircooled.net/Weld-In-Front-Transmission-Mount-Bracket-111701173-p/111-701-173.htm
And straps or mid mounts or even deciding on upgrade trans should wait till mount is fixed....
IF problem persists... RANCHO Freeway Flier....
Dale
_________________
“Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
============================================================
All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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rockerarm
Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2009
Posts: 3552
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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| mcmscott wrote: |
| Determine a "real" budget and fix it right. |
What are you trying to say? I already posted a proposed budget and looking for guys/gals thoughts on this. You do realize that this "budget" should fix this car. |
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mcmscott
Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2010
Posts: 4856
Location: sanger ca
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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Trans rebuild 450$
Trans core for the 4.12 option 200$
Axle tube r-r with bearings 175$
Thats 825$ and you haven't repaired your mount, got brakes,gear oil, trans mounts, bow tube ect.... Your budget is blown to properly do this job.
_________________
There are no stupid questions, only stupid people,
68 Ghia
67 T-1
65 Notch
02 Mexican beetle
74 Thing
15 Long travel rail
07 Nomad
05 f-250 |
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rockerarm
Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2009
Posts: 3552
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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| bugguy076 wrote: |
I repaired the same problem by cutting the mount off the car. Drill out the broken studs and weld in new ones from the back. Then weld the bracket back onto the car.
Or you might be able to rethread the studs with a smaller standard size die.
With the small budget it would wise to just replace the tranny with a used one. |
Thanks for your feedback as I'm proposing same stuff to car owner. He wants to be involved in the decision making process. My later bug ('71) has a more generous area that is forward of the broken studs and can physically feel the backside of the stud, but this '65 is a bit different where I cant feel the backside of the stud. (Maybe it is me but is the pan shaped a bit differently?) A new front trans mount is cheap and have advised the owner on what is needed to replace it.
I have seen a few used swing axle trans' around here in Los Angeles' area but unless the seller is willing to back up the purchase I don't want to waste a full day installing one only to find out additional problems. |
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rockerarm
Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2009
Posts: 3552
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks, as I'm already in check for front trans mount prices, but being in this industry I get better prices. Again thx. Been in this game since high school so don't plan on throwing parts at it til it is fixed. Screw Rancho as they are too highly priced for many of us peeps. $700 for a stock rebuild? |
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mcmscott
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Joined: March 12, 2010
Posts: 4856
Location: sanger ca
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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I get 4-450 for a stock rebuild
_________________
There are no stupid questions, only stupid people,
68 Ghia
67 T-1
65 Notch
02 Mexican beetle
74 Thing
15 Long travel rail
07 Nomad
05 f-250 |
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VWCOOL
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 1821
Location: Down under
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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Fix the studs and install a good second-hand swinger would be my route
How easy/difficult is it to find second-hand parts? |
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rockerarm
Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2009
Posts: 3552
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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| VWCOOL wrote: |
Fix the studs and install a good second-hand swinger would be my route
How easy/difficult is it to find second-hand parts? |
You gotta be kidding?? What's your time worth? To install a used swing axle trans and find out it could be worse than the unit you removed. I have learned that cash is stronger than honesty in the automotive industry. Of course, I'm referring to buying used parts. Bill |
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modok
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Joined: October 30, 2009
Posts: 26776
Location: Colorado Springs
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 5:57 pm Post subject: |
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Grind studs flat then drill out studs and put in bolts. Tack weld in place optional.
Trans builder should be able to re-arrange the trans as desired, but if you want to send the customer "core shopping" it'd be nicest IMO to pick up a 1971 or 72 trans and swap the diff and side covers to make it swing.
That way you have the nicer throwout bearing. A small thing, but worth it IMO |
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rockerarm
Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2009
Posts: 3552
Location: Los Angeles
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| Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2015 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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| modok wrote: |
Grind studs flat then drill out studs and put in bolts. Tack weld in place optional.
Trans builder should be able to re-arrange the trans as desired, but if you want to send the customer "core shopping" it'd be nicest IMO to pick up a 1971 or 72 trans and swap the diff and side covers to make it swing.
That way you have the nicer throwout bearing. A small thing, but worth it IMO |
Thanks modok for your input as this is one of the suggestions forwarded to him. Regarding the broken studs, I cant finger feel the backside of these as I can on my '71. I will recheck this. I additionally suggested to use a later trans for some of the "advantages", but owner has the thinking I'm swaying him toward an IRS suspension conversion.
Bill |
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