901 trans help
 

No matter where I move the shift rod, one wheel rotates fore and the other aft. With the car on the ground, it feels like it's in gear. If I raise the rear wheels, I find each wheel rotating in opposite directions, no matter where I move the shifter. This unit supposedly just had synchros replaced. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Normal for an open differential.

Not a problem at all.

AFJ

If you are in neutral you should be able to turn one wheel with the other one held stationary or on the ground. That is how you can tell if you are in gear.

-Andy

Thanks Andy, AFJ: While one wheel turns one way, the other turns the other way. I understand that this is normal except that if I prevent one wheel from turning, I can not move the other one. With the trans on the bench, if I rotate the input shaft both axles turn opposite. Stopping one from moving, stops them both. Doesn't seem to matter where the gear selector is. ??

It seems the trans in stuck in either 1st. or reverse. Is this fixable by removing the fork-cover??, on the passenger side? I have the cover off, but not sure which gears to try and move around, without making things worse. Any help greatly appreciated.

Do you have a problem?? What you are discribing sounds normal. If someone rebuilt it for you, ask them for help. If you have a doubt and you own it, as is, then ask a mechanic. What you are discribing is most likely not any kind of problem. Do not attempt to fix it yourself (this comment was based on your question) as you do not have the understanding necessary to fix it. Not trying to put you down, just trying to acess the situation.

Thanks for the reply Snowman. I repaired the trans yesterday. It seems the mechanic that worked on the trans previously did not have a thorough understanding of re-assembly.

What was the problem? I have rebuild several of these and have not found to much that could be messed up. The shift forks can only be assembled in the correct way, the only other variable is the shifter adjuster which is external to the tranny.

Trans was apparently re-assembled in gear. On my first attempt, I wasn't successful either. Removed fork and rear cover, pulled gear set. Having never seen the inside, I wan't sure what to look for, but everything looked intact. Re-assembled and had same problem. Called a friend, who has some VW exxperience. After looking at the gear set, he said it looked fine, but needed to be re-assembled in neutral. Re-assembled a second time and voila, it bench shifted fine. Re-installed in car. Minor adjustments, and re-adjustments to shift linkage and all was ok.