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i need some brain cells

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dodge Fahrvergnugen

958 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#305656
ok, me needeth some advice

i've just gotten my old girl back from the mechanics. i took it there so i could get the lowdown on what is wrong with my gearbox (its been crunching gears and popping out of fourth n so on).
my mechanic told me i have 3 options. the prices are a ball park figure and are if i decide to go with this particular mechanic.
1) complete overhaul of the gearbox - $2000
2) 2nd hand gearbox which the mechanic has and will fit - $900
3) find my own gearbox and he will fit it - $500 for fitting, $?? for gearbox

my current gearbox will still last a fair while so i don't need to do anything *straight* away but eventually i will have to do something about it.

SO
my question is
what would you guys do, if you were in my position?

i don't have that much money, but i can save up. i'm considering getting a few ball-park figures from other mechanics to see if i can get it any cheaper, but i'll have to see how it goes. if i had the knowledge and the time, i'd overhaul the gearbox myself, but i don't.
i'd like to get the complete overhaul coz i want to keep this car for the long term and a 2nd hand gearbox may not last much longer than my current one...

so what are your thoughts peoples? 🙂

MickH Hairy Gutted Sloth

3,389 posts · joined Sep 2003 ·

#305660
ALWAYS get a second opinion. A second hand gearbox might not be a bad option as they are cheap to get and if they are OK and cash is a problem then that would be the way to go. Are we talking IRS or Swingaxel??? Get him to check the box he has to see if it is OK before he fits it. Good luck!!
tssnq.com.au

dodge Fahrvergnugen

958 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#305662
whats the difference between IRS and SwingAxel?
sorry i'm still learning all this stuff?

Brett Seriously Crusin Dubber

155 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#305664
What year model, pre about 71 = swing after 71 IRS, roughly.
68 bush bashing ex beatle
72 Bush rig ex superbug

dodge Fahrvergnugen

958 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#305665
car is 1973 bay window kombi
1800 engine (so 1.8 gearbox)
so i'm guessing IRS?

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#305668
correct
Futue te ipsum!!!

squizy Thinking about another dub...maybe

4,082 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#305670
What year is your Kombi, then we'll work out what you've got.

Personally, I'd get a second opinion [unless you know this mechanic really well, and has a good reputation. I'd also go the used option, and then keep your old gear box and have a go at fixing it out of the Kombi - that way you'll still be on the road, and learn something too.

Squiz....

bugDbug Seriously Crusin Dubber

118 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#305671
Swing axles has one CV joint @ the g/b end of the driveshaft. IRS has one @ g/b end & another @ the wheel end
Bob

Brett Seriously Crusin Dubber

155 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#305672
Sorry I thougt Bug, not certain with the Kombis. But yes I think IRS. There was that exact Gbox on ebay last week for cheep $350 I think. They seem to come around a bit. Second hand might be a good option.
68 bush bashing ex beatle
72 Bush rig ex superbug

squizy Thinking about another dub...maybe

4,082 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#305675
Gee lots of answers in 2 minutes. I'll retract my what year question now.....😊blush:blush

Squiz....

dodge Fahrvergnugen

958 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#305676
1973 Squizy 🙂

bigbaja Wolfsburg Wizard

438 posts · joined Feb 2004 ·

#305701
you have u2u
Terry - Custom Off Road Components
28 Hayward Street, Stafford QLD 4053
Ph: (07) 3356 4356 - Fax: (07) 3356 6765

mnsKmobi Wolfsburg Wizard

589 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#305752
If money is tight, go with the known good box (does it have a warranty)? It's not too hard to install the box, if you want to do it yourself. The only hassle is that you need to drop the motor.

dodge Fahrvergnugen

958 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#305755
no i don't think it does... its second hand

Brett Seriously Crusin Dubber

155 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#305758
mnsKmobi wrote:If money is tight, go with the known good box (does it have a warranty)? It's not too hard to install the box, if you want to do it yourself. The only hassle is that you need to drop the motor.
Drop the motor, get it back in. have the correct star spanner to undo the CV's. If it were me I would maybe think about it, but if you are reading the other thread, Dodge is a girl. Not impossible but harder. Might need to ask her fan club to help.
68 bush bashing ex beatle
72 Bush rig ex superbug

dodge Fahrvergnugen

958 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#305762
lol, yeah, good one Brett 😀

twoguns simply aircooled

4,275 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#305778
organise some locals, and have a working bee at your place dodge. have a small bbq happeming. they can rip your old box out and install a new one in a few hours. we could do it down this way if you were closer to your fan club. but surely there must be some out of all the AVD members near enough to give ya a hand.
Simply Cruzin'...

dodge Fahrvergnugen

958 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#305780
surprisingly enough, i don't many of the VW people round here, only 3 and i think they are too busy.
luckily its not urgent

~air fooled~ two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl

1,429 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#305782
ok. get a 2nd hand gearbox that is good (ie- preferably of a trusty forum member) and i put my hand up to give you a hand. anyone else? your still stayin in brissie hey? i'll settle for a few beers to drink whilst i am doing it as payment. ive got all the tools needed all i gotta give is time.. $500 to install is a rip off... who did you go too?
everything dies baby, thats a fact..
maybe everything that dies one day comes back..
put your make up on and your hair up pretty..
and meet me tonight in Atlantic city..

dodge Fahrvergnugen

958 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#305788
um, i don't think i'm allowed to mention that here
a lot of people go to them

~air fooled~ two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl

1,429 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#305792
u2u me, ill keep a secret...
everything dies baby, thats a fact..
maybe everything that dies one day comes back..
put your make up on and your hair up pretty..
and meet me tonight in Atlantic city..

Brett Seriously Crusin Dubber

155 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#305798
Just bat your eye lids and the fans are already linning up.
68 bush bashing ex beatle
72 Bush rig ex superbug

dodge Fahrvergnugen

958 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#305801
lol, yeah but i'd want to help and if i batt my eyelids, they think i know nothing about cars, and don't want to know anything, which is far from the truth 😉

twoguns simply aircooled

4,275 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#305804
dodge 500 isnt a rip off, it is a quote. it is a job to remove and replace the motor and then the box. make sure all is working. but yes some members can do it in their driveways. thats why some will say 'hell dont pay htat!'

anyway if youve got time. hunt downa box. get it sorted. then advertise a vw run'get together. tellem its s workers bee. arvo at your place, knocking backa few and fixing your gearbox.

youve got one volunteer already. if its around when i am up your way, you have two. really if they bring the tools you only need a couple anyway.

[Edited on 25/2/2005 by twoguns]
Simply Cruzin'...

Fossil Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,649 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#305806
I profess to have a brain cell (singular) while at work adn it is over worked😀
Let me out, When I call my name
IGOR is ALIVE !!!! 😎

Herbie 53 Bugs are not nearly enough

764 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#305809
work it, work it,

:thumb
62 Ragtop Herbie with a little extra oomph.

Brett Seriously Crusin Dubber

155 posts · joined Feb 2005 ·

#305810
You seem pretty forward, Im sure you can bat your eyelids get your hands dirty and keep the boys in line. Make them in chage of cooking the BBQ.
68 bush bashing ex beatle
72 Bush rig ex superbug

Herbie 53 Bugs are not nearly enough

764 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#305813
Yeah if you made a BBQ type event you may get plenty of help,
62 Ragtop Herbie with a little extra oomph.

twoguns simply aircooled

4,275 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#305816
Herbie wrote:Yeah if you made a BBQ type event you may get plenty of help,
wouldnt want too many as the beers and what ever else could cost more than the pro to do it at the shop.
Simply Cruzin'...

~air fooled~ two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl

1,429 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#305821
i say $500 is a rip off two guns for these reasons...

most shops charge on labour rates..
dealership labour rates are around$90per hour
normal mechanical shops around $60-$80 per hour
so on that quote, they are saying a workshop with a car lift and all the tools required will take 6 hours minimum to do the gearbox? thats stretching the truth a touch i reckon... ive dont it in the dirt with a single hydraulic jack a big block of wood and bricks shorter then that...
everything dies baby, thats a fact..
maybe everything that dies one day comes back..
put your make up on and your hair up pretty..
and meet me tonight in Atlantic city..