Joe and Steve,

I have been ignoring the quite loud whining in my transmission for 2yrs
and 23k miles since I bought it.  The invoice from the POs clutch
replacement even stated "transmision is noisy." It whined in all gears
and made a rumbling noise in idle which was worsened by stepping on the
clutch. From my experience, I suspect you could make it 300 mi, but who
really knows.

Today, I just finished a transmission transplant(had to harvest and
graft).  Took me about a week of sporadic work to finish.  When I drove
my van today for the first time with the newer (dealer rebuilt w/ 30kmi)
transmission, I couldn't belive how quiet it was.  Just the quiet humm
of the engine in back.  I can even hear the CD turned to a much lower
volume now.

Garrick
84 Westy
Davis, cA

> Am I foolish to drive this last trip before the syncro
> goes into convalesence?  Is it likely I will damage the ring & pinion
> (is that right?)if I drive it 300 miles gently?  My understanding is
> that that part alone is about $500.

> I was wondering if any other people can hear their transmissions gears as
> the car is driving, particularly the ring and pinion I think.