I have a 4 stud swing axle gearbox from a 1969/70 Beetle that jumps out of top gear. I held it in top gear for a couple of years with an Ockie strap

It is out of the car and I need to know if it is worth keeping it.

I'm about to move house and is it worth taking it with me?

I've been told that a thin steel plate and a new bearing fitted to the front of the gearbox, near where the hockey stick is will fix it. That would be an easy fix, or does it need a major rebuild?

To keep or not to keep, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler to keep it and fix it or to send it to the great recycling depot in the sky, or to take up arms in a sea of trouble and trash it for some fun.

If you can pull the axles and tubes and strap it all on a pallet ill buy it

Ah!!! Klaus, Klaus, Klaus.

Thanks for the offer, but that did not answer the question.

You are a very naughty boy.

Answer the question or you will spend the rest of the class sitting outside on the cold, cold paving stones.

Then you will be--" soundly spanked until you are very warm and not a little astonished". (Kipling)

LOL.

Actually you have indicated that it is worth keeping, if you are willing to buy it and pay for freight to the 'Gong, as I am in the Land of the Sandgropers.

It will need to be disassembled and the 4th gear cone and operating sleeve replaced.
The small teeth that engage and hold in gear are likely worn, which is very common.

The plate you speak of is a good upgrade to any box,
but is more beneficial to the later gearboxes that use a different front bearing.
The plate stops the forward movement of the main shaft,
and can help, since that forward movement can move 4th gear out of mesh.

...but normally when the wear is at such an extent,
a proper rebuild is usually needed
which will address the many other problems that are probably lurking inside.

I normally pay 150 for an unknown or fkd box as I just get them rebuilt , I'm just running low on core long axle swing boxes for my bus projects.. And ego couriers are cheap if there's a depo near you

Keep it. Mines been doing the same thing for 2 years. All gears are smooth, just jumps out of fourth. Ockie strap for freeway use.

I believe doing that does even more damage as you have constant pressure on certain parts

Drove it 160km a day for over a year with a 1600, and now it's being thrashed by 2054cc for the past year. I'm more worried about the ockie strap breaking.

Thank you gentlemen for your responses.

It's no big deal to keep it, so that's what I'll do.

Thanks again.