I would like to recommend a Transaxle repair shop in Phoenix AZ for anyone that is closer AZ�than the states of Oregon or Washington. The reason is if anything ever went wrong with a repair and than you would have to remove the transaxle and ship it. Depending on what went wrong, shipping costs can add up. I had my transaxle rebuilted and regeared 3rd, 4th and R&P in my 1982 DZ Transaxle for a cost around $1500. I needed this done so I can get my vanagon up a running.� I was having a hard time finding a DK transaxle�with the .457�R&P already in it�so Bill at AZTransaxle hooked me up. He has been doing transaxle for over 25 years. I went to his shop and got a tour to see his operation, pretty cool. Bill does a lot of sandrails for racing so I thought doing my 1982 Diesel Vanagon that I converted in a 1997 Jetta 1.9TDI AHU motor with electronics would be no big deal at all for highway driving. Well I was right, I am driving everyday and the shifting
 is nice and easy. Check out his witesite at www.aztransaxle.com
or call him at Arizona Transaxle Exchange
�� 3863 N. 38th Ave
�� Phoenix, AZ 85019

�� Phone: 602-269-1444

P.S. aatransaxle was my second choise, I spoke to them and they were very helpful with some gearing question I had before I find aztransaxle in Phoenix, AZ. 

Good luck,
Scott Greiner
Mesa, AZ.

________________________________
From: W Monk <billmonk@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tue, October 13, 2009 2:22:25 PM
Subject: Re: Vanagon tranny question regarding 3rd gear grind on manual tranny

Forgot to mention the only place I would trust if you end up needing a
tranny is
http://www.aatransaxle.com/
don't trust any of the local places regardless of the price you get quoted.
Like the rest of the vanagon it requires someone who knows vanagons and
their
quirks.

B

On Tue, Oct 13, 2009 at 5:17 PM, W Monk <billmonk@gmail.com> wrote:

> After the oil change another thing to look at is your front transmission to
> body mount. It also has a ground strap on it. I noticed my gear shift lever
> moving around quite a bit when letting off /stepping on� the gas. If you
> take your van for a ride and notice the shift lever moving back and forth
> quite a bit when stepping on and letting off the gas pedal check out your
> front mount. The first thing my wife noticed after replacing the mount was
> the van shifted better.
>
>
> B.
>
>� On Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 7:39 PM, John Meeks <vanagon@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>� On Mon, Oct 12, 2009 at 6:00 PM, David Cohen <Mtbdavid2@aol.com> wrote:
>>
>> > Hi,
>> >� I recently purchased a 1990 Vanagon GL with manual� transmission.
>>� Around
>> > town and before the van heats up I can shift up and� down to third
>> without
>> > grinding but as soon as I drive on the freeway for any� amount of time
>> and
>> > then downshift or up shift into third it grinds.� I� assume it's because
>> of
>> > the heating up and thinning of the gear oil and a bad 3rd� gear syncro.
>>� Is
>> > this correct?� I assume I am looking at a full� rebuild or replace with
>> a
>> > rebuilt 4spd tranny.� Your help is� appreciated.
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> > David (new owner of Vanagon and love it)
>> >
>>
>> David,
>>
>> Welcome to the wonderful world of the Vanagon.. Sadly changing tranny oil
>> is
>> something that many owners neglect.. Before spending the big bucks on a
>> rebuild, change the oil with some good synthetic gear oil. I like Redline
>> MT-90. It will make a big improvement in shifting anb works much better in
>> hot operating temps.
>>
>> To get an idea of the job see:
>> http://www.vanagonauts.com/Changing-gearbox-oil101.htm
>>
>> Good luck and enjoy the Vanagon
>>
>> Oh and check out the Rescue Squad link below.
>>
>> John Meeks
>> '91 Multivan
>> Northern Michigan
>>
>> Vanagon Rescue Squad
>> http://www.vanagonauts.com/Vanagon_Rescue_Squad74.htm
>>
>> Radio Call:KC8ZFN
>>
>
>