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? 馃檪
MickH 路
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!!
dodge 路
whats the difference between IRS and SwingAxel?
sorry i'm still learning all this stuff?
Brett 路
What year model, pre about 71 = swing after 71 IRS, roughly.
dodge 路
car is 1973 bay window kombi
1800 engine (so 1.8 gearbox)
so i'm guessing IRS?
Bizarre 路
correct
squizy 路
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 路
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 路
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.
squizy 路
Gee lots of answers in 2 minutes. I'll retract my what year question now.....馃槉blush:blush
Squiz....
dodge 路
1973 Squizy 馃檪
bigbaja 路
you have u2u
mnsKmobi 路
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 路
no i don't think it does... its second hand
Brett 路
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.
dodge 路
lol, yeah, good one Brett 馃榾
twoguns 路
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.
dodge 路
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~ 路
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?
dodge 路
um, i don't think i'm allowed to mention that here
a lot of people go to them
~air fooled~ 路
u2u me, ill keep a secret...
Brett 路
Just bat your eye lids and the fans are already linning up.
dodge 路
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 馃槈
twoguns 路
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]
Fossil 路
I profess to have a brain cell (singular) while at work adn it is over worked馃榾
Herbie 路
work it, work it,
:thumb
Brett 路
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.
Herbie 路
Yeah if you made a BBQ type event you may get plenty of help,
twoguns 路
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.
~air fooled~ 路
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...
twoguns 路
~air fooled~ wrote: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...
i dont disagree. as i said. its a quote.
~air fooled~ 路
oh yeah it may be cheaper in the end, may not also... id prefer to see her keep the money in her bank in the end thats all..
dodge 路
hey money in the bank sounds good 馃槈
twoguns 路
well airfooled, i am up there in junish. if you have some tools. and dodge can hold out till then or if its not sorted and done before, then we are at it... hows that sound
dodge 路
i can hang out till then coz the current gearbox will be ok for awhile....
~air fooled~ 路
im on big fella, just bring the blow up doll for a bit of relief:thumb:duh hahaha
~air fooled~ 路
just let us know if it starts shitting itself dodge, cos june is a while away...
dodge 路
yeah, it *should* be ok.....
its just a matter of how much i can put up with... gears poppin n so on...
twoguns 路
start looking for a replacement box. get the word out and sort that part, so at least youre ready for if it does fail. the hands can be sorted, quick enough.
~air fooled~ 路
hey are you strapping back the gear lever when in fourth or just holding onto it?
um, i'm not holding it or strapping it in at this point.
there is no logic to when it pops out, it happens every now and then, (maybe a few times a day)
i just keep an eye on it and put it back in if it pops out....
~air fooled~ 路
ahhhh ok, well some people tie a strap (ie to your seat base) to slip over the gearstick when in 4th so it doesnt pop... but puttin it on and off can be annoying too....