On Sun, Mar 28, 2010 at 9:18 PM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> On Sun, Mar 28, 2010 at 7:31 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>
>> A Vanagon mechanic listened to the growling noise in my newly
>> installed transmission.

>> Mechanic said "input shaft bearing" and kindly pointed out the part on
>> an open WBX transmission. My Long Enterprises CD calls this part
>> "mainshaft needle bearing". Bentley calls it "needle bearing" and
>> shows it on mainshaft. (35.20 and 35.49... just for clarifications

> � I don't know a lot about transmissions other than having destroyed 3 in my
> racecar and figuring out how to run an external cooler into one...but I do
> know about the '...understand pulling it sooner rather than later...'�� In
> fact,� I've been 'bit' by putting off a repair I knew I "should" do.� I
> feel really� dumb when I knew something was wrong, or I was 'pretty sure'
> something needed to be fixed soon and I put it off until something really
> expensive or possibly fatal happened.
>
> � I have lost bicycle races because of similar procrastination ...."well,
> maybe my chain is a bit worn but it'll go a few more weeks" and off I go,
> driving far and long to race in another state and ride my guts out up some
> stupid mountain.� I put most of my competitors behind.� Then 300 meters from
> the finish as I start to sprint, the chain breaks!....I spent about 8hrs
> driving home from Idaho, kicking myself for 'Not Listening' to my inner
> voice saying...."you should really change that chain, it's only $50 and
> about 10mins work"� Instead, I waste 3 days and countless weeks of
> training...,
>
> � So if you think your bearings are out or almost out, or even 'could be on
> the way out" and you have to ask..."Should I really ......?" the answer is
> probably�� Yes, go ahead and do it and save yourself some money� and a
> possible remote breakdown or other bad stuff...
>
> � Don Hanson
>

Yah that little voice in my head. It's nagging me.  ;)

Sage advice. Problem is, I see my time disappearing before my next
chunk-o-work starts. April is such a great time to camp, wanted to hit
the road ASAP. Yah I know. Wah.

<grin>

In my situation, my last possibly viable transmission is an AB (WBX).
Have to swap in other parts (linkage). At my pace, this could spell
several days of futzing. Just thought I'd use the noisy one for one
last trip before pulling.

"Should I really.... ?"

Sage.  :)

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