On Sep 18, 2011, at 8:15 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:

> If the noise is load dependent and occurs in all gears it most
> likely is a
> bad pinion bearing.

This is what it sounds like!

> If the noise is more dominant in 1st or 2nd gears then
> it is likely a bad input (main) shaft bearing. If the gearshift
> lever moves
> when load is applied-removed in 3rd-4th gears this is also a main
> shaft
> bearing or gear carrier housing problem. Continued operation with a
> bad
> pinion bearing will destroy the ring-pinion adding considerably to
> repair
> costs.

So I understand-my local mechanic said they rebuilt vanagon trannies
in house-could take a couple of weeks depending on what parts they
have to order!

Hmmm, might have to get a tranny shipped in, then take mine out/apart
& see what is bad.

Have a long planned trip next weekend, might have to chance ruining
the ring & pinion-it appears that is a $500 +- lost core charge if I
ruin it.

Are my friends worth it?  I think so!

YMMV,

Mr. BZ-its only a machine?

> These transmissions suffer more from undersize parts fatigue than
> actual wear so miracle oils do little to actually extend their life.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of
> Tom Buese
> Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 1:36 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Tranny Whinning in 84 Westy?
>
> Dear fellow vanagonuts,
>
> My 84 w/ original 1.9 & tranny w/ 145k miles on it, appears to have
> developed a whinning sound when the clutch is not depressed, & I am
> accelerating.  Depress the clutch & the sound goes away.  You might
> remember
> that recently I had a miracle where 1 day the van would not shift
> into any
> gear unless the ignition was off, & I topped off the brake/clutch
> fluid,
> which was only a tad low from full, but it didn't get better,until the
> miracle, & it either self bled or fixed itself.
> Now many weeks later, it still shifts nicely, runs like a champ, but
> that
> whinning sound has moi concerned.  Tranny going bad, clutch needing
> replacement, changed to Royal Purple Tranny fluid a year ago,
> needing to be
> topped off?
>
> Your humble attention to my issue would be appreciated, especially
> before I
> attempt to drive 600 miles RT next weekend.
>
> YMMV,
>
> Mr. BZ-the only whinning I want to hear is my own
>