Rocket:
Not quite as bad as you'd think; most service manuals explain how they
work pretty well in each situation.
It sure makes me admire the brain power/ chemicals of the guys/gals that
visualize all this in the design process.
Me, I just fix 'em!
Al
69 double cab, Vanagons

Michael Elliott wrote:

> Thanks, Edward. I have seen exploded diagrams of automatic transmissions
> and am firmly convinced that there is no chance that I will /ever/ learn
> how they work -- in this lifetime, at least.
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
> 84 Westphalia: "Mellow Yellow (The Electrical Banana)"
> KG6RCR
>
>
>
> Edward Maglott wrote:
>
>> The 2nd gear brake band is like a big Omega (like the symbol for
>> ohms.)  It's a band that fits around a spinning drum in the
>> transmission.  The 2 little "feet" of the Omega are like this: One
>> foot is
>> up against that adjusting bolt you are turning.  The other side is
>> connected to a hydraulic piston.  When those 2 feet get closer
>> together, it
>> clamps the band down on the drum and makes it stop turning.  (This
>> changes
>> the gear ratio via the magic planetary gear system.)  So when you adjust
>> the bolt inward, it causes the band to squeeze the drum sooner as the
>> piston (on the other side) actuates.  The band is metal with a friction
>> lining like brake or clutch material.  I guess the idea of the
>> adjustment
>> is that this material may wear and affect the engagement of the band.
>>
>> The whole complicated tighten/loosen/tighten routine...  I guess it is
>> supposed to get the band fully seated as a reference or starting point
>> for
>> the adjustment.
>>
>> Edward
>>
>> At 06:33 PM 9/23/2004, you wrote:
>>
>>> The nice folk at www.vanagonparts.com have a useful online article
>>> about
>>> servicing the Vanagon AT.
>>>
>>> http://www.vanagonparts.com/at_service.html
>>>
>>> I'd like to know more about the whys and wherefores of the second brake
>>> band adjustment procedure. Simply put, after loosening the locknut, you
>>> tighten the adjuster screw to 89 inch pounds, then loosen it, then
>>> retighten it to 44 inch pounds, then back it out 2-1/2 turns. Then
>>> secure it in that position using the locknut.
>>>
>>> If anyone can explain what's going on when we do this, I'd like to
>>> hear it.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
>>> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
>>> 84 Westphalia: "Mellow Yellow (The Electrical Banana)"
>>> KG6RCR
>>
>>
>>
>