popping out of 4th. gear!
TODD R. SCHROEDER
In a previous article, the...@castles.com (Dean Curtis) says:
>2 weeks ago my '68 fastback began to experience transmission problems -
>namely, it pops out of 4th. gear when accelerating. It happens at various
>speeds over 45 mph. Gear oil level is OK. Car has 152,000 original miles
>(yes, I'm pretty sure of this). Isn't this mileage kind of low for the
>tranny to start failing? Are there any temporary solutions such as
>additives or am I in for an overhaul?
150K is near the lower end of the range of transmission life, but
not too bad. Yeah, your tranny is shot. Additives won't help, but
a bungee cord might help to keep it from popping out while [as St.
Muir would say] you're saving your bread for a rebuild/rebuilt.
'71 Campmobile [DaddyBus]
--
Todd R. Schroeder | Without vision, a people perish.
tsc...@aztec.asu.edu | Proverbs 29:18 KJV
John Henry
Dean Curtis wrote:
>
> 2 weeks ago my '68 fastback began to experience transmission problems -
> namely, it pops out of 4th. gear when accelerating. It happens at various
> speeds over 45 mph. Gear oil level is OK. Car has 152,000 original miles
> (yes, I'm pretty sure of this). Isn't this mileage kind of low for the
> tranny to start failing? Are there any temporary solutions such as
> additives or am I in for an overhaul?
>
> the...@castles.com
>
> --
> Dean Curtis
> the...@castles.com
Yup, common failure mode, but a bit early on your '68. Your best way
out is to start saving for a rebuilt unit. The only "additive" I would
recommend is a piece of 1x2 with a small notch in one end. Cut it to
length and prop it up under the shifter knob and against the firewall on
those long trips. That's what I did.
--
John Henry
'85 VW Cabriolet Wolfsburg- Alloy rims : Leather Interior : 1.8l : H4
Conversion : Bosch Driving Lights : 5 Speed : Cruise : Raytheon
Technologies Rear Facing Rocket Launcher : Kimmel XLf80 Fusion Cannon
w/Laser Tracking and Titanium Accumulator : MarTom Tuhf Range finder
with GPS : AM/FM Cassette :
'57 VW Beetle- very evenly distributed across a 2 car garage
'95 Merc Sable Wagon- lotsa buttons and switches (Wife's school bus)
MOPAR1
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Well,A Vw Transaxle that pops out of 4th gear can be caused by a
number of different things ranging from easily repairable to a conplete
overhaul.
I wouls start by inspecting the shifter coupling unsreneath the rear
seat it should be tight on the shafts.also check the condition of the
rubber isolators if they're worn replace it.
Next you should remove the shifter and inspect the shift rod sleeve
it's usually made out of nylon and wears fairly rapidly.If it's worn
replace it.
The third thing you should do if you have done the two things before
is to adjust the shifter itself.You will notice that the bolt holes are
slightly enlongated.This was done by VW to allow for a slight amount of
adjustment.
If all else fails take it to a good transmission/Transaxle shop.
Good Luck!
David holleran
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Subject: popping out of 4th. gear!
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 1997 20:08:35 -0800
From: the...@castles.com (Dean Curtis)
Organization: Prodigy IAC Test
Newsgroups: rec.autos.makers.vw.aircooled
2 weeks ago my '68 fastback began to experience transmission problems -
namely, it pops out of 4th. gear when accelerating. It happens at various
speeds over 45 mph. Gear oil level is OK. Car has 152,000 original miles
(yes, I'm pretty sure of this). Isn't this mileage kind of low for the
tranny to start failing? Are there any temporary solutions such as
additives or am I in for an overhaul?
Dean Curtis
the...@castles.com
--
Dean Curtis
the...@castles.com
--------------138FB1F2F4E--
Joseph M. Krzeszewski
In article <5gcnrh$r...@news.asu.edu>, <hal...@IMAP2.ASU.EDU> wrote:
>Dean Curtis (the...@castles.com) wrote:
>: 2 weeks ago my '68 fastback began to experience transmission problems -
>: namely, it pops out of 4th. gear when accelerating. It happens at various
>: speeds over 45 mph. Gear oil level is OK. Car has 152,000 original miles
>: (yes, I'm pretty sure of this). Isn't this mileage kind of low for the
>: tranny to start failing? Are there any temporary solutions such as
>: additives or am I in for an overhaul?
>
>the shifter in place with like a bungee cord, but start saving up for a
>rebuilt unit NOW, using a bungee cord will only speed the damage already
>done.
>
While jumping out of fourth gear certainly means that the transmission or a
host of other parts are worn, don't be too quick to write that tranny off
yet.
First of all as so amy before me have mentioned check
The shift linkage - open the access plate under the rear seat and look for
play. If there is any, replace it.
The transmission nose cone and front mounts - you have to go under the car
for this one... Make certain that they are tight. If they are loose then
changes in the engine torque can cause the entire drive train to pivot about
the rear axel and cause the transmission to pop out of gear. Come to think
of it check the rear mounts too.
The shift rod - Ok, this is an odd one... If you are unsure as to the
history of the car (as in, has it ever been in an accident) take a look at
the shift rod. If its bent replace it. This one caused me all kinds of
trouble in my car.
The shift rod bushings - If these are worn then there is excessive play int
he shift rod and it will pop right out of gear.
If all of these things are in good shape then the transmission is getting
worn, but before you run out and get a new one or destroy the tranny with
the bungee cord trick, take a few minutes to figure out what part of the
tranny is worn.
Does it pop out of fourth gear sometimes but not others. Is it fine for a
while and then it just won't stay in gear, and then the problem goes away
again? Does it only pop out on uphill climbs or hard acceleration? Does any
other gear pop?
In my case only fourth gear pops out and only sometimes. When it does it it
might do it once, or it might not want to stay in gear at all. After much
digging around I determined that the culprit in my transmission is the
detent spring or ball for fourth gear. The previous owner was none to gentle
in his shifting and so the ball and spring that hold the tranny in fourth
have become damaged. It seems that depending on the position of the ball it
will either hold in gear or pop right out.
My solution: Live with it. If it pops put it back. If it pops again hold it
by hand. After about a half dozen shifts it will probably stop. If it
bothers you repalce it, but be aware that my tranny has been doing this for
the last 50,000 miles and its not getting any worse.
Just something to think about
-- Joe
--
Joseph M. Krzeszewski Mechanical Engineering / Materials Science
N5LHF Jack of All Trades, Master of None... Yet
js...@wpi.wpi.edu -= CCC Shop Student Hardware Specialist =-