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Subject:Re: Limited slip differential
From:Dennis Haynes
Date:Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:58:41 -0400

The manual tranny has only three seals that leak. The output flange seals
and input seals. The outputs are easily replaced with the tranny in place.
The input usually leaks from being overfilled or the shaft worn or the pilot
bearing and end of shaft being worn.

Dennis
Back for a little bit.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Troy
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:19 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Limited slip differential

Hi folks:

Just wanted to do a reality check here. I have seals leaking in my
transmission and got an estimate of about $600 to drop the tranny and
repair. I have always hated the one wheel drive, and probably will never get
a syncro, so I was looking at the Limited slip differential that the Go
Westy and small car sells. From what I understand from a guy in Bend Oregon,
who rebuilds transmissions, they lock up about 90% at full torque. So, not
quite a locker, but pretty darn close to it. With a good set of tires, I
would think this would get me out of 90% of what I would run into. A poor
man's syncro. I don't do all that much off roading, but do get into some
deep sand, mud and then ice and snow, but only for a brief time out of the
year. So, since I have to pull the transmission anyway, and the fact it has
about 130,000 miles on it, I thought it might be a good time to do a rebuild
and add the Limited slip differential. Tranny is starting to slip (cold) and
needs to be warmed up already. Not cheap, probably looking at $2200 +
shipping cost and install. More like 3K all said and done.  Do you guys
think it's worth it? I'm already in over $20,000 with a Subaru conversion,
and plan on keeping my van for years to come, so... what do you think? Need
some encouraging words before I pull out the checkbook and put yet more
money into the van. Anyone have a limited slip in their van? If so, how do
you like it? Worth the bucks or not?

89 Westy, subaru 2.2

Troy