Gary:

What happened is the threaded stud that holds the input shaft snapped.
Did the snap ring come out with the shaft? If not, it may be in the
bottom of the trans. It happens from time to time. You have a few
options:

1. Stick the shaft back in there, make sure it engages the splines
properly. When you re-install the engine, the engine will prevent the
shaft from coming out. The only risk is that the missing snap ring could
float around and wedge between the pinion or differential gears. Iv'e
done this before when I had no money and this happened.

2. Replace the broken stud. You need to undo the 8 bolts holding on the
bell-housing and pull it off. Replace the broken stud and snap ring.
Find and remove the broken ring. Re-assemble with a new gasket and fill
the tranny with fresh gear oil. Some of the details on how to do this
can be seen on my website at:
http://www.relitech.com/tomc/vanagon2.htm

Good luck!

Gary Basey wrote:
>
> First off I want to thank everyone for help with my earlier questions!
> Without your support I'd be lost!
>
> But now I have a new problem.  I removed the engine/trans from my '80
> Westy to rebuild the engine.  Upon separating the trans from the engine,
> the mainshaft came out.  I searched the archives and found no reference
> to this problem.  I've been told it's probably a broken snapring.
>
> My questions are:
>
> Is this an indication of a larger problem?
>
> I've been quoted $120 to replace the snapring, is that fair?
>
> Could a novice do this job?
>
> I considered locating a used trans but, I can't find one at any of the
> local yards (I'm around Indianapolis, IN and Vanagons are rare).
>
> Any information would be helpful.
>
> Gary
>
> '80 Westy (in need of some TLC)
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

--
TomC
tcarrington@relitech.com
http://www.relitech.com/tomc/tomvw.htm
85 Vanagon Crew Cab
82 Vanagon Westy diesel=>gas conversion
65 Notchback