Darryl IS the man, but AA Transaxle is in Washington, near Seattle.

http://www.aatransaxle.com/index.htm

On 1/28/06, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote:
>
> I agree with you - local rebuild is best - that way if it's not right
> and you get a lot of guff about it, you don't have very far to go to run
> you chainsaw through the rebuilders desk!!
>
> However, if one cannot find a local person of good repute to rebuild the
> transmission, the next best bet is to ship it to Daryl Christiansen at
> AA Transaxle in Oregon. On manual trannys "He da man!". Daryl is often
> on this list with informative comments. I think he is listed on the
> Vanagon web site under vendors.
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Geza Polony wrote:
>
> >I'm not an expert on these--few are--but I'm just in the process of
> having
> >my own 1984 4-speed rebuilt, and I had a chance to get into the shop and
> >talk with the mechanics doing the rebuild.
> >
> >The fact is, there are a lot of things that could cause your symptoms.
> The
> >experts that are working on mine first drove the van and thought my
> grinding
> >sound was caused by worn synchro rings, then opened up the case and found
> >all kinds of problems with sliders, tabs broken off, worn 4th gear,
> marginal
> >3-4 hub, and tolerances too bad to even re-use the case. Conclusion: you
> >can't really diagnose transaxle symptoms without going inside to look.
> >Anything else is just a guess, educated or not.
> >
> >If you're interested in getting the work done, I'd suggest finding a
> local
> >rebuilder rather than ordering a tranny online. Reason: there are all
> kinds
> >of ways to cut corners in doing a "rebuild," and definitions vary from
> state
> >to state. If, for example, they don't replace the main bearings during
> the
> >rebuild, but only try to reseat them (this is typical of an online
> rebuild)
> >you may end up with transmission noise that goes on for the life of the
> >tranny. You can also get away with leaving marginal ring and pinion
> >gears--and others--that may fail withing a few thousand miles. That's why
> I
> >wanted to see with mine own eyes what was going on.
> >
> >In terms of price, mine is costing around $1,400 because the case and a
> >bunch of other stuff was no good. Add $300 for the removal/installation.
> >Bummer, man.
> >
> >I hope yours isn't so bad.
> >
> >
> >Geza
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

--
Jake
1984 Vanagon GL
1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
www.crescentbeachguitar.com