On 3/20/10, Jim Arnott <jrasite@eoni.com> wrote:
>
> On Mar 20, 2010, at 1:46 PM, neil n wrote:
>
>>
>> When installing the transmission, is it obvious if input shaft/clutch
>> splines aren't lining up? Is it possible the transmission can be
>> "forced" in even if splines misaligned?
>>
>> I'm not totally unfamiliar with VW transaxle remove/install, but
>> tonight, it was a royal PAIN. (don't ask) Anyhow, when things finally
>> lined up, and enough thread was showing on lower studs, I used lower
>> nuts, then uppers, to bring the transmission and engine together. It
>> all "felt" ok while doing this, but because I had to use the nuts, I'm
>> asking the above. FWIW, I did jockey the crank back/forth to help make
>> sure splines lined up.
>
> Well..... I don't want to be the bearer of bad tidings, but the last
> time I used the nuts to mate a reluctant trans to the motor I ended up
> replacing the gearbox the following summer..  The reluctance was due
> to the pilot shaft bearing being turned to little bitty pieces.  A
> year and about 5,000 miles later the input shaft seal failed.  That's
> when I found the deeply scored input shaft. The good news was that I
> just happened to have a 'spare' gearbox and motor waiting to go in so
> down time was minimal. But without waiting spares it would have been a
> real 'Aw s....'
>
> I don't think that I'll "pull" them together again. Start your search
> for an input shaft or gearbox just in case.
>
> Jim

Thanks much Jim.

This is a tranny swap (input shaft too as it's shorter for Jetta
engine) so a spare is no issue. Just added time, blood, sweat and
cussing.

Hopefully I haven't mashed the PB. Didn't think of that scenario. That
would be a shame as I gather one other item that can suffer is the oil
sling on clutch housing.

Neil.
--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines