| Author |
Message |
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
 Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 8:52 am Post subject: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
 |
|
Hello! Let me give some back story for a moment. I bought a reman trans from a company online for our 74 Super Beetle back in 2015. I made sure I filled it with gear oil; and spun the mainshaft around just to get the lube to spread around. Then I installed it; with a new Luk brand clutch kit. Engine had a new flywheel installed when it was built. Fast forward to today. I want to state that I will not name the company I bought the trans from; because they are making some attempt to help at this point. My problem is that I can't get the car to roll, even with the clutch pedal pushed down all the way. I can't get the trans into neutral; but I suspect something else is going on here. I disconnected the coupler from the shaft coming out of the nose cone & tried to move it around with no results. Not being able to roll the car even with pushing the clutch all the way down has got me stumped. Without having to take the engine & trans back out; what are some things I can do to solve this issue? I even screwed in the clutch wing nut more, but still no results. Can I keep screwing in the wingnut so I can try to roll it, or won't that help? If I have to take the engine & trans out there goes the car show & cruise in season for me, as I have no one within 60 miles to help. Has anyone run into this problem before? Thanks in advance for any help!
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
bsairhead
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2008
Posts: 4438
Location: viroqua wi.
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| Junkyardjockey wrote: |
| Hello! Let me give some back story for a moment. I bought a reman trans from a company online for our 74 Super Beetle back in 2015. I made sure I filled it with gear oil; and spun the mainshaft around just to get the lube to spread around. Then I installed it; with a new Luk brand clutch kit. Engine had a new flywheel installed when it was built. Fast forward to today. I want to state that I will not name the company I bought the trans from; because they are making some attempt to help at this point. My problem is that I can't get the car to roll, even with the clutch pedal pushed down all the way. I can't get the trans into neutral; but I suspect something else is going on here. I disconnected the coupler from the shaft coming out of the nose cone & tried to move it around with no results. Not being able to roll the car even with pushing the clutch all the way down has got me stumped. Without having to take the engine & trans back out; what are some things I can do to solve this issue? I even screwed in the clutch wing nut more, but still no results. Can I keep screwing in the wingnut so I can try to roll it, or won't that help? If I have to take the engine & trans out there goes the car show & cruise in season for me, as I have no one within 60 miles to help. Has anyone run into this problem before? Thanks in advance for any help! |
Did it sit for a long period of time. Are you in a humid region? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
The car sat from when the trans was installed in 2019; hasn't moved since, exc for towing it to get the carpet installed & the front hood repaired.
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 11:34 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
And I live about an hour due east from Syracuse NY; so not really that humid here.
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bsairhead
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2008
Posts: 4438
Location: viroqua wi.
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 11:38 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| Junkyardjockey wrote: |
| And I live about an hour due east from Syracuse NY; so not really that humid here. |
How did the gland nut bearings look? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
volky1970
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2006
Posts: 401
Location: A very hot Island with BUGS that KILL!!!
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 11:51 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
Junkyardjockey,
Can you at least shift with the car off?
I had a similar problem when I left the car in the garage for 2 years. Went to use it and even with the clutch pressed the car would JUMP forward if in 1,2,3,4.
I had to take out the engine since the disc was stuck to the pressure plate.
I looked up "stuck clutch" in You Tube where you can push the car then pop the clutch and it loosens but not in my case. I had to PRY it with a screwdriver.
Chances are it is your problem.
_________________
1970 Beetle Turbo 2109cc MS II EFI, W/M Injection, Intercooler, FORD Wasted Spark Coilpack, 48lb. Injectors. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bsairhead
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2008
Posts: 4438
Location: viroqua wi.
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 12:41 pm Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| volky1970 wrote: |
Junkyardjockey,
Can you at least shift with the car off?
I had a similar problem when I left the car in the garage for 2 years. Went to use it and even with the clutch pressed the car would JUMP forward if in 1,2,3,4.
I had to take out the engine since the disc was stuck to the pressure plate.
I looked up "stuck clutch" in You Tube where you can push the car then pop the clutch and it loosens but not in my case. I had to PRY it with a screwdriver.
Chances are it is your problem. |
^ and this can happen also. My issue was the gland nut froze to the output shaft. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 12:54 pm Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| bsairhead wrote: |
| Junkyardjockey wrote: |
| And I live about an hour due east from Syracuse NY; so not really that humid here. |
How did the gland nut bearings look? |
It was brand new when the motor was built.
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
volky1970
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2006
Posts: 401
Location: A very hot Island with BUGS that KILL!!!
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
Junkyardjockey,
Check the BOWDEN TUBE to see if it is worn out. That may be not letting the clutch cable go all the way, causing it to jam at some point.
_________________
1970 Beetle Turbo 2109cc MS II EFI, W/M Injection, Intercooler, FORD Wasted Spark Coilpack, 48lb. Injectors. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dougy Dee
Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2004
Posts: 1755
Location: Niagara Region, CANADA
|
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2025 1:09 pm Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
"I disconnected the coupler from the shaft coming out of the nose cone & tried to move it around with no results." This suggests...
You installed the nosecone incorrectly.
The hockey stick is/was in the wrong location.
There is an interlock preventing accessing 2 gears at once.
Apparently the interlock works fine... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 6:38 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| Dougy Dee wrote: |
"I disconnected the coupler from the shaft coming out of the nose cone & tried to move it around with no results." This suggests...
You installed the nosecone incorrectly.
The hockey stick is/was in the wrong location.
There is an interlock preventing accessing 2 gears at once.
Apparently the interlock works fine... |
The shaft does move around some....mostly in & out motion...and I didn't install the nose cone- it came with it already on.
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bsairhead
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2008
Posts: 4438
Location: viroqua wi.
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 6:44 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| Jack up rear end. See if it will key start. Try the clutch several times. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 7:28 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| bsairhead wrote: |
| Jack up rear end. See if it will key start. Try the clutch several times. |
That's what I'm going to try. Maybe by trying to crank the engine the clutch disc may free up from being stuck to the flywheel or pressure plate. Many people have told me the most likely reason for my problem is a stuck clutch disc. Thanks!
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
volky1970
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2006
Posts: 401
Location: A very hot Island with BUGS that KILL!!!
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 7:52 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
Found these pics when it happened to me. So much rust on the flywheel couldn't release the disc. The disc is one of those with different materials on each side from Aircooled.net and the flywheel is Kennedy Stage 1.
_________________
1970 Beetle Turbo 2109cc MS II EFI, W/M Injection, Intercooler, FORD Wasted Spark Coilpack, 48lb. Injectors. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
vwuberalles
Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2003
Posts: 1469
Location: Richmond, VA
|
| Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2025 8:16 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
My dad got a reman transmission for his 59 from one of the big VW part vendors, the car was stuck in 1st gear no matter what we did. It turns out that it arrived with the wrong nosecone installed. Hopefully that's not what happened with yours but it is a possibility if you run out of easy stuff to check.
_________________
1973 Superbeetle: 1st car, owned since age 12. Update thread --> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9919140#9919140
1967 Kombi: Owned since age 17, Dad's retirement project.
1966 Beetle: My new project. (SOLD) Build thread--> https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=678040 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| volky1970 wrote: |
Junkyardjockey,
Can you at least shift with the car off?
I had a similar problem when I left the car in the garage for 2 years. Went to use it and even with the clutch pressed the car would JUMP forward if in 1,2,3,4.
I had to take out the engine since the disc was stuck to the pressure plate.
I looked up "stuck clutch" in You Tube where you can push the car then pop the clutch and it loosens but not in my case. I had to PRY it with a screwdriver.
Chances are it is your problem. |
I can't shift it at all. I haven't had the chance to start & run the engine since the engine was installed about 2 years ago. When I had the car towed to get the carpet installed back in late April, I still couldn't get it out of gear but at least I could push the clutch pedal all the way down & it would roll. Now even that won't work. I took the shifter out & disconnected the coupler from the shaft coming out of the nose cone & I can get that shaft to move; but not much. Next thing I will try is to take out the fill plug & insert a screwdriver and try to free anything inside that might be stuck. Next thing to try is to actually start the car with it stuck in gear & the rear wheels off the ground; hopefully that will unstick the clutch if that's the problem. If THAT doesn't work, i have to get it towed to a shop & have the engine pulled to find out what the heck is going on.
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:21 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
The clutch kit (Luk), flywheel, gland nut are all new; so this really has me stumped!
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:23 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| vwuberalles wrote: |
| My dad got a reman transmission for his 59 from one of the big VW part vendors, the car was stuck in 1st gear no matter what we did. It turns out that it arrived with the wrong nosecone installed. Hopefully that's not what happened with yours but it is a possibility if you run out of easy stuff to check. |
That would really suck if that's the issue. That means the engine AND the trans has to come back out! 
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| volky1970 wrote: |
Found these pics when it happened to me. So much rust on the flywheel couldn't release the disc. The disc is one of those with different materials on each side from Aircooled.net and the flywheel is Kennedy Stage 1.
|
YIKES! All of that in my car is new; but that doesn't mean it can't happen. Hopefully it is just the clutch that's the problem. I have another Luk clutch kit on the way just in case.
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Junkyardjockey
Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2013
Posts: 921
Location: Utica,NY
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2025 7:26 am Post subject: Re: Problem getting reman trans out of gear |
|
|
| volky1970 wrote: |
Junkyardjockey,
Check the BOWDEN TUBE to see if it is worn out. That may be not letting the clutch cable go all the way, causing it to jam at some point. |
It has a new Gemo bowden tube installed, with plenty of curve/droop in it.
_________________
Romans 10:9-10
SAVE THE SUPERS!!
1974 Super Beetle Sunroof
2025 Mazda CX-70 Turbo S Premium; 340HP/369 lb. ft. torque!
2022 Subaru Outback Limited XT in cinnamon brown pearl |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
