The only tools I used that might be considered special were a vice (used to press in new bushings) and an air compressor (used to blow parts clean and to test the operation of various pistons when reassembling).  All of my other tools were good old Craftsman.

In a message dated Tue, 19 Jun 2001  6:25:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "Tom and Dana Cates" <dcates1@home.com> writes:

<< Did your rebuild require special tools?

Tom and Dana Cates
Asheville, NC
83 Air-Cooled Westfalia, 'Hammurabi'
Member: http://www.fullmoonbusclub.com/ "Home of the World Famous Breakfast
Burritos"
http://www.type2.com/rescue/
http://members.home.net/fullmooninjoon/index.htm

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Bowen" <JBowen7@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 6:00 PM
Subject: Re: It's not moving...UGH!!!

> My '88 automatic was starting to do the same thing.  Slipping out of gear,
not shifting properly, taking forever to engage reverse gear...leaking all
over the driveway (wife not pleased).  After confering with several pros, I
came to the conclusion that all of the seals, pistons, and friction clutches
in the tranny were going bad. Anyway...I recently finished rebuilding the
automatic.  Wasn't as hard as I expected it to be.  I bought the "rebuild"
kit from a company called TRANSTAR.  All name brand parts in the kit.  All
of the rubber pistons and seals were OEM VW - and in stock.  She shifts like
new again - and no leaks!
>
> The dealer quoted me $4100 for a new transmission. LOL.
> I paid about $275 for the rebuild kit.  If you've got the time and the
skill rebuild it.  Best of luck.
>
> Jim Bowen
> '88 Wolfsburg Weekender
> '74 Super Beetle Sun Bug

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