Don't drive it anymore.  You don't want to destroy it so it can't be
rebuilt.  Get a used one from a watercooled gas Vanagon and toss it in
there.  Just and afternoon's work.  Won't be geared as low, but it will
get you around.  Send your fancy DX to Daryl at AATransaxle in
Washington, or you can try Abbey Auto in Wasilla (the only one I'd
trust, if he even wants to work on it..)

Will in Alaska.

On Sat, 2010-07-31 at 17:23 -0400, Robert Downes wrote:
> 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.
>