Steve...Your pinion bearing is going bad and will ruin the ring/pinion
soon. If the mainshaft is moving the mainshaft bearing is moving in the
gear carrier housing  and will cause several problems down the road. On
my rebuilds I use a rebushed housing to keep them tight. Not  to mention
the 3/4 slider issues....$995 exchange for a complete rebuild with a 3 yr
warranty.

Daryl of AA Transaxle
Duvall, WA. (Seattle area)
(425) 788-4070
1-877-377-0773 (toll free)
aatransaxle.com (web site)

Hi list, This is my first post and I want to say what a great resource
I've found the archives for my 84' westie project. It's got 300,000km on
what the PO said is the original engine with one head rebuild.  At the
moment I'm on track of a transmission noise. There's a distinct whine
under acceleration that stops with the clutch down or foot off the gas. A
diagnostic at my local independant VW shop suggests that either the main
or pinion bearings are on the way out. I pulled the transmission, being
too thrifty to commit a large amount of $ at the van without a fight. So
far I've discovered that the trans has been rebuilt at least once before.
There's appropriate marks on the diff adjusting rings and an r value
scratched on the diff ring gear. The ring and pinion teeth don't show any
obvious problems, i.e. clean and bright with no obvious pitting or
grooves on their surfaces.  I did notice that the axle on one side was a
rebuild. Looks like the end was about a mil too long and it had abraded
away the centre of the end cap entirely. Draining the oil revealed
there's fine iron fillings on the magnet, with a paste-like consitency.
The pinion shaft appears tight. I can't detect any movement when I try to
move it in or out or from side to side. The main shaft is another matter
it moves in both directions. Is this enough info for experienced
transmission guys to venture a guess to the source of the noise? Thanks
in advance for any help. Steve