deal with it now while you're where you can work on it etc.

and...the sooner you deal with it the less damage there will be to the rest
of the transmission.

yes diesel 5-speed transmissions are rare,
and valuable.
in transmissions, when things are starting to go ..
the longer you wait, the worse the damage gets,  and the cost to fix it
gets higher too.

way mo' betta to deal with it now.

Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Downes" <bobdownes@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2010 2:23 PM
Subject: 5sp trans woes

> so, i started hearing a hum that got louder as my speed increases, and
> then
> gets quieter around 45mph. i thought maybe my CV joints had reached a
> breaking point? hoped that my transmission, which was rebuilt not toooo
> long
> ago by a PO, did not decide to spontaneously bust itself. i decided to
> change the trans fluid, and when i took out the magnetic plug...there's a
> piece of stamped metal and a single ball bearing stuck to it. the ball
> bearing was maybe 4mm,here is a picture of the metal
> piece<http://imgur.com/V15Vi.jpg>.
> i could not identify which bearing this might be from in the bentley
> diagram. the van still runs fine, just makes noise. do i need to tear the
> thing apart? i'm in Alaska for the summer, and if this is going to have to
> be done, i should probably do it pretty soon, but if i can make it south
> to
> civilization this fall on what i've got, i'm sure i'd end up saving some
> precious summer work dollars.
>
> basically, i've been trying to drive it alot to see if i can make it fail.
> i
> work for a tour boat company and i could probably talk our mechanic into
> helping me tear it apart, he's familiar with vanagons...what do you guys
> think?  what is the best source in the northwest for parts? tell me what i
> need to hear, list.
>
> thanks in advance
> -bob
>
> PS, while this message was pending, i've learned that this transmission is
> somewhat rare, the code is DX, it's the 5 speed diesel trans.