A few weeks ago I asked about an '83 auto tranny that was slipping in 
third gear.  Most responses I received were that the clutch plates were most 
likely fried.  After some prodding from Listee Dennis Haynes encouraging me 
to try my hand at rebuilding this tranny, I decided to have a go at it.  I 
got it out and up on the bench and started disassembly, slowly to get the 
idea of where every thing goes and what it does.  The first/reverse clutch 
pack, Bentley pg. 38.7, was first out and all the plates looked fine.  Then 
upon removing the forward clutch assembly, Bentley pg. 38.17, I saw the 
problem. The large circlip that holds the clutch pack in the direct/reverse 
clutch assembly is out of its place, lying loose between the rear of the 
forward clutch assembly and the front of the direct/reverse clutch assembly.  
The first steel plate is discoloured, burnt blue, but all the rest of the 
steel plates and fibre plates were fine as are the ones in the forward clutch 
assembly.  Seems that for some reason the circlip holding the direct/reverse 
clutch pack in its drum came out.  Why ?  That's the big question now.  Seems 
to me I could just put everything back in its proper position and the tranny 
would be fine.  The circlip seems to have plenty of tension.  I guess I 
should replace it and the discoloured steel plate just for security reasons.  
But I sure would like to know what caused the circlip to come out.  Will it 
happen again or was this just a Vanagon fluke ?  Anyone out there with some 
expert advice on this issue ?  It sure would be appreciated rite about now.

Cheers�

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm">BusFusion</A> a VW Camper camping event in Almonte, ON, June 2002
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: <A HREF="http://www.vanagon.com/">Vanagon List</A>, <A HREF="http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/">LiMBO</A>, <A HREF="http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/CIW_English.asp">IWCCC</A> & Capital City VW Club 
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm">STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers</A> �
<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html">Frank Condelli & Associates</A> or http://frankcondelli.com

 

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