----------------------
Hi Mark,
    The 091 /1 was used from late 85- 91.  It is better designed it the
shifting rods and forks than the 091 and seems to not develop excess wear in
the differential side gears. This shows up as excess up and down play at the
drive flanges on the 091. The 091/1  has a problem with 3rd / 4th gear
synchro hub shattering.  This is a $200-300  fix if you do it yourself, but
many replace the transaxle with a rebuilt.   The 091 was used from 76-85.
The   76-79 were nose shifters and the 80-85 were side shifters.
Darrell
-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Gajewski <mgajewski@MANVILLERUBBER.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Friday, September 11, 1998 9:45 AM
Subject: Re: auto vs. manual

>Joel Walker wrote:
>
>> that's generally true ... but vw tried to cheap-out and the 3rd/4th gear
>> syncronizer was badly made, and cracks. in the 86-91 transmissions
(4-speed).
>> sucks. costs about $1400 to get fixed. :(
>>
>
> Does that mean that '83-'85 wasserboxers used a different (superior?)
manual
>transaxle?
>Mark
>