Identifying a trashed Tranny

It's too bad I'd never driven a 911 before, otherwise, I might have been able to spot a trashed tranny.
It was a slow shifter, it never ground, but it was tough to speed shift. It wouldn't go quickly, but had to be eased in.
Yet, it was trashed. I need a new hub, and a few gears; guy says it's toast. A pretty basic rebuild + the clutch, which was pretty much worn out (2500$ for rebuild + clutch)

I'll know for sure when I get the tranny rebuilt what it's supposed to feel like.
What is slow shifting? I mean, my 914 always ground going from 1st to 2nd quickly, but I pounded the hell out of that tranny for 5 years and it never self destructed like the 911 tranny did...and the 914 has over 200,000 miles easy. (Odometer was busted for 4 years)
Anyone have any hard clues for how you identify a tranny that's seriously going, from one that's got a few cuts and bruises but is good for another 50k?




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Kurt B
1984 911 Carrera Cabriolet
75 914 1.8

Much has been said on this BB about the shifting symptoms you described. Look for clutch or transmission topics if you want to read. Apparently Porsche trannies are simply not speed-shifters.

It seems that (and really this is true of all cars) one should first ensure the clutch cable is in good repair and especially in good adjustment. Shift bushings and Swepco 201 oil are next, and only after these can you assess the tranny. Many report tolerable to much improved shifting after these.

If that does not do it, then a look inside the tranny is probably the only way to know.

Kurt, any chance of getting a rebuilt tranny as a replacement instead? It might cost hella less than that 2500. God, I'm scared - I know for a fact that my tranny's crap. There's days when it's really, really hard to get into 2nd gear from 1st or 3rd...Swepco's next, but it's just putting off the inevitable. Why couldn't Porsche have made a great tranny to go with a great car?



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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2

Kurt, Try Vertex foe a rebuilt transaxle:
www.**********.com

Mark, I still think a MAJOR contributor, if not the real cause for all of the internal destruction in the 915's is neglecting the gear oil changes ... the factory SHOULD have had one of the gold foil labels at the back of the engine with BIG, fluorescent, holographic letters: Change GEAR OIL in transaxle at EVERY Engine Oil Change!!! I personally know a couple of lawyers and engineers with 911s that have never had the gear oil changed in 10 years! It isn't emphasized in the owner's manual ... and the only logical reason I can think of is the factory ASSUMED the cars would be serviced at dealerships!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Warren, if I were to get some SWEPCO 201 and plan to change out the oil, what other tools do I need besides "normal" metric tools, and what's the general procedure? Or is this too big of a question for the forums?

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2

Just a 19 mm socket, and a funnel and 3-4' piece of tubing, or a 'suction gun' ... and, be sure your trans is warm/hot when you drain the oil! To save some typing, refer to these threads for the procedure discussion:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/000774.html

http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum3/HTML/000727.html

If you are doing the 'quick flush' first, you may want to jack up the driver's side to drain and refill, and with the wheel off to see better. With the car up and tilted over, you can just quickly put in the first 3 qt. of oil, then pour off approx. 1/4 qt. back into one of the empty bottles, then put in the last 1/4 gt. in the transaxle without even worrying about the level coming up to the filler hole! Keep one of those empty qt. bottles around for 'measuring' the SWEPCO ... just pour off 3/4 qt. into the empty, and put the rest of the gallon in the trans! Good luck!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Yeah thanks Warren. I'll make sure I take darn good care of this rebuilt tranny to avoid this problem in the future.

I never changed my 914 tranny fluid, and I might have been better served if disaster had struck that car and served as a wakeup call before I got the 911. But NO, that little car had to go and go, and go....