You'll have to take it apart. All kinds of nooks and crannies with gunk in
them. Also springs and little BBs. I looked at that as a whole separate
evolution from the rest of the tranny, and even did it in a different
place. Lots of light and quiet. I used carb cleaner and picks on the thing;
some of that stuff was almost fused in those channels.

The tranny rebuild was a new experience for me and I was pretty paranoid
about screwing it up, but as it turned out it was pretty straightforward.
I'd had brake jobs that were worse in terms of difficulty and aggravation.
As I said: Lots and lots of pics. There's a set online somewhere, and I
still have mine if all else fails. Put 'em on a laptop in order and
reassemble going in reverse and it helps (or at least it helped me.) :)

On Mon, Nov 17, 2014 at 1:31 PM, Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks gents for all the feedback and different perspectives.  I pulled
> the tranny yesterday and think I'll take a shot a taking it apart.  Thanks
> also for the links Robert, I hadn't come accross wittrans.com before.
>
> Do I really need to dismantle the valve body or is there some other way to
> get any gunk out?  I am planning to replace the TC.  Even with that,
> hopefully I can get this done for less than $500 as opposed to the $2000
> plus for a professionally rebuilt unit.
>
> Rick
>
> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 3:53 PM, Robert Fisher <garciasghostvw@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> It doesn't require any special tools - you need to set the brake band
>> tension in inch pounds, but that's about it. If you've rebuilt engines you
>> can do this, and I'm 98% sure that you are correct in that it's the forward
>> clutch.
>>
>> Earlier today I described the process to someone as "painstaking". You
>> have to be particularly clean and well-organized. The fluid in the case and
>> internals will want to get all over everything. I did most of my work in a
>> large Rubbermaid bin lid lined with plastic. I took a picture every time I
>> did something - every stage, every time (and it saved my ass later).
>>
>> You may want to go in for a reconditioned valve body if it appears to
>> need it (how many miles are on this tranny, do you know?). It isn't
>> necessarily likely, but it's an option. Cleaning the VB requires the most
>> care and attention (and lint free cloths) imo.
>>
>> I would always replace the TC in doing this - the one you have is full of
>> friction lining material and other crap that you won't be able to get out;
>> it's my pet theory that that's the stuff that causes the cold shifting
>> problem these things get right before they die (choking up the vanes in the
>> TC until it gets warm(er) and they free up).
>>
>> The last time I got parts for an overhaul I got them from
>> www.makcotransmissionparts.com and www.wittrans.com (I think because I
>> couldn't get everything at one place). The standard rebuild kit doesn't
>> quite have everything you need, so you need to make a comprehensive list.
>>
>> Alternately, you could get a rebuilt from German Transaxle (which is of
>> course much more expensive than rolling your own).
>>
>> Keep us posted!
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 6:20 PM, Rick Cooper <rickdcooper@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Just bought an 1987 2WD Westy with a faulty automatic transmission.  Fell
>>> in love with these things this past summer but could not afford a nice,
>>> clean one so I picked up this one last week instead.  It's in lovely
>>> shape
>>> but only reverse gear works.   There is no forward motion in any of 1, 2
>>> or
>>> D, though with both rear wheels off the ground, they will spin slowly.
>>> Based on the chart in the Bentley, looks like this could be the forward
>>> clutch, but I know darn little about these things.
>>>
>>> Looks like I'm gonna have to fix this since my wife refuses to see the
>>> country backwards.  Being the curious type, I'm wondering whether I dare
>>> try taking it apart myself.  Anyone have experience with rebuilding
>>> these?
>>> I've overhauled a couple of engines but never touched an AT.  Does it
>>> require special tools?  Also, is there a source for a rebuild kit --
>>> can't
>>> see one on either the GoWesty or the Bus Depot sites.
>>>
>>> Rick
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Cya,
>> Robert
>>
>> '87 2.1/Auto GL
>>
>
>

--
Cya,
Robert

'87 2.1/Auto GL