| Author |
Message |
Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
|
 Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2025 8:21 pm Post subject: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
 |
|
Ok... so my transmission is out after only about 30,000 miles after rebuild  (
Not under warranty.
1.8T engine with about 180 hp...
Wondering which shop/process/upgrades/heavier duty parts would be most likely to avoid another rebuild in 30k miles????
thanks,
Bill D |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
modok
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009
Posts: 27663
Location: Colorado Springs
|
| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2025 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
Not sure, but I expect everyone might want to know
What kind of transmission do you have? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 6:58 am Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
| 90 Westy Syncro... 4th gear on step higher |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 11080
Location: Oregon
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 7:47 am Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
German Transaxle of America in Bend Or. is the best shop for getting your syncro trans rebuilt and modified as needed.
https://www.germantransaxle.com/
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin! 
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
do.dah
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2015
Posts: 797
Location: Washington
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
[AA Transaxle in Duvall Wa.. is the best shop for getting your syncro trans rebuilt and modified as needed.
https://aatransaxle.com/]
Fixed that for ya.... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 11:25 am Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
Anybody have knowledge/experience with Porters Precision in El Dorado Hills near Sacramento, CA? That's who Stephan's Auto Haus uses to go thru trany's when he does his 1.8T transplants. Stephan doen't have the van yet, but he speculates that it may be the main shaft bearing... (which apparently was replaced, but also speculates it could be bad parts... lots and lots of bad parts that just don't hold up these days)...
thanks,
Bill D |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10639
Location: Western WA
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 1:30 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
| Bill D wrote: |
| Stephan doesn't have the van yet, but he speculates that it may be the main shaft bearing... (which apparently was replaced, but also speculates it could be bad parts... lots and lots of bad parts that just don't hold up these days)... |
My van had a SmallCar conversion, and SmallCar (in those days) did NOT include an engine ground, relying 100% upon the forward transaxle ground.
When you do that...... and if the transaxle bolts corrode and become unable to conduct the Alternator amperage across the gearbox case.....
the electricity then diverts to the shiny inner shafts
to get to the forward transaxle ground.
Notice I wrote "IF". Thats kind of a joke to get your attention.
Electricity crossing precision rolling elements bearings pits the surfaces, and significantly reduced their useful lifetime.
If you see black mud on your gearbox drain magnet, that's probably because the case is unable to conduct all of the electricity and some is diverting thru your precision innards. Black mud is Fe2O4, burned steel, and it's magnetic.
Remove that possibility immediately.
Remove that front gearbox strap and replace it with a strap direct from the starter mount bolt.
We took my gearbox apart as soon as I heard the mainshaft bearing grumbling (at idle in neutral). It had 40,000 miles.
The electrical tracks on the mainshaft bearing were so "characteristic"
that my pics could have been used in SKF's "Bearing Fault Manual".
If...... I kept driving it longer.....,.the signature electrical appearance would have all chipped away,
and the bearing would look like "ooops..... poor bearing quality these days".
See mainshaft bearing pics and discussion on: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=2264321
Here's other electrical erosion in the magnesium on the pinion bearing bore on my previous gearbox (using that singular forward trans strap).
When you get your van back, do ^^THIS^^
There is absolutely ZERO benefit to routing electricity across your gearbox case.
There is ONLY added RISK as the bolts and case corrode over time.
Note that steel bolts in Magnesium and aluminum are dissimilar metals being relied upon for high-current.
And they are outdoors, un-inspected, and un-maintained.
Vanagons have "more starting problems" than other vehicles.
And CVs that last only 100k miles. Melted parking-brake cables. Sheesh!
Our gearboxes last 150-250,000 miles while other vehicles routinely expect 400,000 miles.
Marine, Aircraft and Industrial industries practice "drivetrain electrical ISOLATION".
They don't use the drivetrain as a convenient conductor.
There are so many strikes against this important Vanagon detail.
So many, it's almost stupid. Actually it IS stupid.
Let's add to that, that two $15 cables, properly installed, eliminates all of that stupidity.
There is no cheaper mod, and almost every DIY owner can stop the degradation easily.
Copper is proper.
Use your gearbox case to house your gears.
Use COPPER (and welded, continuous steel chassis) to conduct starter and alternator amperages.
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
khughes
Samba Member
Joined: July 13, 2013
Posts: 880
Location: Phoenix AZ
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
You should live in the desert Sodo, we dont *do* that rust and corrosion thang! 
_________________
'86 Westy FAS GenV Turbo (Marvin) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
a914622
Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2004
Posts: 920
Location: Westend of HWY2 , Wash
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 4:12 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
Maybe a better question is it time to swap out for a 911 -C4 transaxle??
_________________
87 gl powerd buy 2.5subaru
75 914 getting 2.2t subaru scratch that SVX subaru |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 4:33 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
| What is a "911 -C4 transaxle" ? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MarkWard
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18751
Location: Retired South Florida
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 4:41 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
| Bill D wrote: |
| What is a "911 -C4 transaxle" ? |
Porsche. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 4:43 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
| Fit? Anyone done that? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8168
Location: WA/ID
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 5:19 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
OP, where are you located? There are good trans shops across the country that folks here will vouch for: WA, OR, AZ, CO, NJ, etc.
I trust German Transaxle in Bend, OR. Outstanding communication, patient, good results.
More samba discussions can be found here:
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rl...p;oe=UTF-8
_________________
- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 5:23 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
| Northern CA |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
medicmaniac
Samba Member
Joined: February 16, 2021
Posts: 43
Location: Boise
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 6:04 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
| Had mine rebuilt at GTA about a year ago. Customer service was great. It was a little disappointing to call and some of the items listed on their website weren’t available (temp sensor, 5th gear option, oil cooler)… I also had them put in a GT Torque Bias diff… just be prepared for the worst, my carrier assembly was shot and therefore so was my wallet. I almost considered buying another transmission and shipping it in. At this time my only complaint is the gear oil they recommend…. It’s super difficult to find/come by… there’s only a few places online that sell it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
| So,... does GTA Stand for German Trans Axel?? Or what? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 8:33 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
Would be helpful if posters could say if they have higher power than stock transplant engines and maybe how long their trany rebuild has lasted (miles better than years) with that extra power working on those gears.... I have read that higher power tends to wear out the tranny sooner? (some/most of the trany builders have a lesser warranty for higher than stock powered transplants)
thanks,
Bill D |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10639
Location: Western WA
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
| khughes wrote: |
| You should live in the desert Sodo, we dont *do* that rust and corrosion thang! |
I'd be curious to see if your transmission case bolts DON'T have white corrosion on the threads after 10 years etc, 20, 30, 40.
Are you game to take a few out for a lookie?
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bill D
Samba Member
Joined: December 06, 2011
Posts: 104
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 9:05 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
".... after 10 years..."
So Sodo... you want me to get back to you 10 years from now?
Or maybe 8 years will due since the trany was last pulled and rebuilt 2 years ago?
Bill D |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sodo
Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2007
Posts: 10639
Location: Western WA
|
| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 9:06 pm Post subject: Re: Which Transmission Rebuild Shop? |
|
|
| Bill D wrote: |
I have read that higher power tends to wear out the tranny sooner? (some/most of the trany builders have a lesser warranty for higher than stock powered transplants)
thanks,
Bill D |
There is no question that higher power wears out the tranny sooner.
No ifs, ands, or buts.
The only place you'll hear otherwise is from the engine-conversion shops, the ones recommending double the HP.
It's wise to "drive with your inner WBX".
Pretend 65mph is your max speed.
Go faster only when its "necessary".
There's an engineering guidleine with regards to bearings that doubling the load quarters the lifetime.
Maintain as if it's a race car.
Clean oil is cheap, and is more effective than specialty oil.
Clean specialty oil likely has a further advantage.
Here's what SyncroShop built for me in '22.
I broke it in very carefully, 2,000 miles at 45-50mph, and it has never been driven without the oil pump & filtering.
Full-time from mile zero.
So it hasn't experienced the break-in-trash-cycle that splash-oiled gearboxes all have to endure (to their various levels of owner-maintenance).
And they do survive, but it's an initial injury before the huge-engine-duty.
This gearbox has almost 30k on it now.
I have no way to guess how long it will last.
I try to pretend like I drive WBXesque (173HP EJ25).
_________________
'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb
Last edited by Sodo on Sat Jun 07, 2025 9:17 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
