sure, if the forward portion of your wbxr trans input shaft is worn there
the pilot bearing goes ..
( it needs to be pretty smooth there for the pilot bearing ) ...
do cut that off and turn it into a useable diesel vanagon input shaft.

conveniently, it's about the distance that's thrashed on your wbxr
shaft...the amount you want to cut off.
VW must have planned for that !

I seldom ever replace input shaft seals. I rarely see a problem with those.
and hey ...since parts quality is declining lately ...
I trust a good part that's been in service for a few years more than what I
might get these days.
Bottom line -  regarding that seal - seldom a issue in my experience.

Pilot bearings seem to be generally weak on vanagons.
I think the 3 main factors to make them last well are ..
nice smooth surface on the input shaft ( it's pretty common to see that part
trashed or badly worn )
a good working Clutch Dust Seal !
and a good synthetic grease in the needle rollers.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "neil n" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 1:56 PM
Subject: WBX Input Shaft Worn. Ok to Cut To DV Length?

> Hi all.
>
> Am upgrading my '81 to a WBX (AB) transmission. Was going to install
> DK shortened input shaft so I could keep the WBX shaft at original
> but....
>
> The WBX input shaft is worn (by PO). Pic:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/yf8lxk6
>
> OD at pitted section (good part of shaft further in almost same OD):
>     14.8 mm
> OD at groove worn on shaft:                                   14.4 mm
> OD midpoint of taper section near end:                 14.3 mm
> From shaft end to groove worn:                              18 mm long.
>
> Is shaft worth saving as is? If not, maybe cut shorter to the DV
> length? (for my Jetta engine swap). By my math, wear at groove is .4
> mm. Since end should be tapered, I see .5 mm difference between good
> part of shaft and taper section.
>
> If it's not ok for a future WBX transmission, it would save me time as
> clutch housing parts seem ok otherwise. (I would replace input shaft
> seal)
>
> IIRC, the TOB was loose when I pulled this transmission from the parts
> van. If that didn't cause the wear, would a failed pilot bearing do
> this?
>
> Thanks,
>
> 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