I'm hoping someone has btdt and is a little more familiar with the VW
automatic to give me a little assistance.
 
Mom coming into a VW family gtg our 86 automatic came rolling in
SMOKING.....
 
Oil everywhere. smoking off the hot exhaust.
 
inspection shows a round cover plate on the Drivers side infront of the
axle with a LOOSE SNAP RING.
 
I removed the snapring to clean, and the cover plate pops out.. this is
I believe the 2nd gear actuator assembly.
 
well after tracking down NEW O-rings 
VW has to order, they are a 'seal $19ea'  I go to a big equipment
Hydraulics shop and they are $.83ea 
and the guy @ the counter is an old time VW guy (went independant in
77), far more helpful then the dealership parts counter.. 
 
but I can't seem to compress the spring by hand to get the cover in
place to set the snap ring.. 
 
any hints tips tricks or just find ???  I was going to rig up a 'pipe
clamp' to apply some even pressure 
I do have a 'spare bad VW autotrans' to dissassemble that part and learn
but was hoping for some VW experiance advice.
 
Thanks
 

Daniel Stevens