I have done a number of transmissions over the years, mostly British cars
and VW Beetles. They are pretty simple if you have some guidance as what
assembly to take out first and through what hole, etc.

I did some research into doing my Vanagon 5-speed when the 3-4 slider broke
and I decided that it would be way over my head, as it needed a number of
special jigs. Even my local VW shop, which routinely goes through Vanagon
4-speeds, would not touch it. I had Bus Depot handle it.

The trouble is that you can't always trust the Bentley to give you a really
good example of what you are going to need as they may have a special tool
listed that is really only a convenience or that is easily worked around
with ordinary shop tools. That might cut you some slack on a 4-speed
rebuild, but I am pretty sure the need for special jigs on the 5-speed
would keep the home mechanic from doing one.

Jim

On Wed, Apr 29, 2015 at 8:46 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:

>    ...I know, a subjective question, but is it possible for a home
> mechanic to rebuild a manual Vanagon transmission with only the normal
> tools in the average home shop?...       Is there anything in the rebuild
> process that takes huge expensive machines or VW Special tools that one
> couldn't 'make' at home?
>
>      My poor old 84 with it's inline Jetta motor and 5speed trans, it's in
> need of some rather pricey maintenance on things that are being
> 'used-up'....While there are no operational problems,  it is whining a
> little louder as the years pass and the miles accumulate...it's coming on
> time that I can no longer defer taking action, but I simply do not have a
> few grand to spare to send this work out right now.   I'm trying to get an
> idea if I can do some study and then tackle the job on my own...
>