Transaxle Sudden Death Syndrome. Really?

[bobbyblack]

[Sodo]

This topic “Transaxle Sudden Death Syndrome. Really?” Is pertinent and well-titled.
Those with young gearboxes can implement a proper maintenance procedure before the gearbox is worn out (unlike most others, driven with original factory gear oil until “the whine”),
Once there is a whine, its too late to start a maintenance program. The gearbox is done. Perhaps still driving, but used up.

But that pesky 3rd/4th hub can be replaced before it cracks apart. Like a timing belt can be replaced before it destroys the valves ( maybe pistons and heads too). And the beautiful thing is, you get new bearings too, and due to your smokin’ wallet, start a proper maintenance program for your bew bearings which will preserve the gears. Now you have a real nice trans!!!

[riceye]

Sodo,

Thanks for this thorough explanation for the part failure. I guess I assumed that it was the shifting on its own that affected rate at which the stress cracks developed, and not the host of other causes. I guess I'll just keep up with my regular gearlube changes and keep an eye on the drain plug magnet. And resolve to shift with two fingers.

Thanks again!
_________________
'87 Westy Weekender - daily driver on salt-free roads

There's gonna be some changes made.

“I find that things usually go well right up until the moment they don't.” - Ahwahnee

"Quality isn't method. It's the goal toward which the method is aimed." - Socrates, later quoted by R.M. Pirsig

[DanHoug]

This is my gently shifted 3-4 hub removed at 225k miles on a perfectly functioning trans I did a pre-emptive build on.

_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Sodo]

DanHoug, that’s a 1989.5 hub.
What year was the gearbox?
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[DanHoug]

1987! Original transmission
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Sodo]

Ok not calling you a liar but it looks like someone snuck in and replaced the ’87 hub with a 1989.5 behind your back.
(I think)
How many miles when u got the van?

Maybe a genuine expert will chime in on this.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[DanHoug]

Van was one owner with about 100k miles when I bought it in 1990 from a co-worker. I KNOW it is the original trans! Post a picture of a whole pre 1989.5 slider, I am as curious as you!
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[gears]

The square slots are early (prior to the change to rounded slots)
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[fxr]

[Sodo]

It was my understanding that in 1989.5 they rounded the stress-risers and nitrided the hub.
I guess that’s what we need clarification on.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[E1]

All the more telling how strong these are when gone easy on, even on the “flawed” slider.

Between Dan’s and ours is about 550,000 miles before rebuilds.

Average = 275,000 each.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[DanHoug]

The service manager for a local now gone VW dealership said that he saw Vanagon transmissions go 300,000-400,000 miles on commercially used MediVans that racked up miles fast transporting people to medical appointments. I imagine these were shifted gently because they were all wheel chair lift equipped but by a variety of drivers that could care less about the transmission. Dunno. Mine was cracked and ready to go at 225k.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[E1]

225’s still great life!

I wonder what the medical vans weighed for such a use? Way lighter than ours I imagine.

Our first van ran as heavy as 5,800 at first. That can’t help. I also think our now running a 5.43 R&P takes away much of the lugging factor.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[MsTaboo]

[ZsZ]

Late hubs can crack too

_________________
Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008

[LarsHepping]

[gears]

There was perhaps a 2-year period of the updated design, but without nitriding. (I think all of those factory rejected SA Syncro transaxles had these.) Yes, all OEM hubs can eventually crack. I've seen the early ones fail in as few as 80K miles ... but obviously they don't all crack. I don't know that you can point to a particular cause for failure.

In the '80s, we machined a lot of 3rd/4th 002 hubs. The difference in hardness between one batch and another batch was quite obvious. We preferred the softer ones.

I haven't seen any aftermarket slider hubs crack yet, but I suppose it's possible.
_________________
aka Pablo, Geary
9.36 @ 146 in '86 Hot & Sticky
'90 Syncro Westy SVX
'87 Syncro GL 2.5
https://guardtransaxle.com

[ZsZ]

[Sodo]