Rapidly deteriorating 4th gear

BEN-986 Learner Dubber

6 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 10 Sep 2006, 9:42 pm

#532801

Hi all, first post, be gentle.

I recently bought a nice '68 type 1, it's been loads of fun and I love it to bits. It's had its dramas, and many surprises, but it's been worth it.

The current issue is 4th gear, or rather the lack thereof. When i bought it 6 months ago it would occassionally pop out when going over a bump or on a rough road, then it began popping out whenever i accelerated (and so i had to hold it in constantly) and now it wont go in at all, it just makes loud banging noises when i try to select 4th.

Has anyone had this problem? I assume it is the gearbox dying, so with that assumption made is it better for me to look for a new (used) gearbox, or does the problem sound minor enough to warrant opening up the gearbox and having it repaired?

I hope to go to the wreckers next weekend, are there any other boxes I could look for? Kombi, porsche etc?

Thanks

BEN-986

Volkswagenboy Staggers Automotive.

2,437 posts · joined Jul 2005 · 10 Sep 2006, 9:44 pm

#532803

Sounds like it could be your 3rd to 4th synchro.
Where are you located?
-Staggers.

STAGGERS AUTOMOTIVE - Heavy Vehicle Diesel Specialist

JB CUSTOMS & CLASSICS - Car Builders

2/53 Tradelink Drive, Browns Plains

BEN-986 Learner Dubber

6 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 10 Sep 2006, 9:46 pm

#532804

the Hills above adelaide.

is the 3rd/4th synchro repairable?

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 10 Sep 2006, 10:05 pm

#532818

Its not the syncro.....its the Dog teeth on 4th gear, the corners are rounded off and they cant hold it into gear. It requires dismantling the gearbox to repair, and once you've done that you may as well do a full rebuild

65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
68 Country Buggy (KO 669)
68 Country Buggy (KO 789)
68 Country Buggy (KO 815)
68 Baja Bug
76 Baja Kombi Twincab

BEN-986 Learner Dubber

6 posts · joined Sep 2006 · 10 Sep 2006, 10:14 pm

#532823

Cheers for your suggestions 11cab and vwboy

cost/value-wise, is it better to rebuild the current trans, or track down a replacement from a wrecker?

What are my options with replacement boxes? It's only running a 1600 twin port, so its not making massive power, but I'm hoping to change that in the future.

[ Edited on 10-9-2006 by BEN-986 ]

PurpleT3 Fahrvergnugen

880 posts · joined Apr 2003 · 11 Sep 2006, 9:00 am

#532887

While a second hand gear box may be cheaper to buy, it will be, well second hand. Especially if you are buying it from a wreckers, you have no idea what condition the box is in, it may be the same or worse than yours. If you have the money, get yours rebuilt.

Ain't nothin' like the wind in your hair.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 11 Sep 2006, 11:04 am

#532914

Hi Ben,
It would be better if buying a used transaxle to buy from someone who pulled it out of a road going beetle...
as, many people have had success with used gearboxes..

Having Yours repaired would be costly...
and hard to quote for, before it is pulled apart...
as pieces of steel from the worn parts may have damaged bearings or other parts in Your gearbox...

If the used gearbox is from a badly damaged/ rolled beetle, it may have problems which will surface later on...

so, the donor vehicle info is pretty important...

I have sent You a U2U ...

Lee --

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug

[ Edited on 11-9-2006 by 68AutoBug ]

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---