Another one bites the dust (915).

Seems like a lot of talk about 915 transmissions recently. Unfortunately mine decided to get me involved by "breaking" this morning. Recently it has been more difficult to select 2nd gear and now I cannot select first and then it got stuck in 5th. Coasted into the garage after turning around on my way to work this AM. Clutch seems to be working OK. I am going to poke around the linkage just to check -------- just got back from the garage and the shifter is very stiff and will not select any gear. Engine running or not does not make a difference.

I have been following 86ragtop's saga and sympathetic before… but now… oh well. As I also live in Florida and there is not as much activity in used parts in my neck of the woods - Vertex seems like a possibility. If I do the R&R, maybe Christmas will not be completely cancelled! Any others have experience with Vertex on a tranny exchange? I always worry about getting someone else's old problems with exchange units.

So 86ragtop - what was the verdict with your oil leak and are you driving the rebuilt trans? Was their $1400 quote including R&R?

What years of the 915s represent an exact swap for my 1984 if I can find a used one?
The BB is great fun and I have sure learned a lot - but don't you guys work?

Happy Holidays to all.
Joe Riley


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Joe Riley
84 Carrera Targa
69 911S Coupe http://members.rennlist.com/911andson/

[This message has been edited by Joe911 (edited 12-12-2000).]

Just something to check first.
When my car had the same symptoms, it turned out to be the coupler bushings in the center tunnel behind the front seat.
Check there first to make sure your bushing haven't dissentigrated! Mine did and it wouldn't allow me to select any gear!

Good luck,

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Leland Pate

___79 SC Targa

Joe,

Leland makes a very good point in that you really should check out EVERYTHING that could affect shifting before jumping off the cliff and having the transmission changed out!

That also includes the shifter itself, and the cup bushing (and its' holder that is clamped onto the shift rod with a tint set screw) as well as the rod bushing and the bracket that holds the shift rod bushing!

I mention the shifter because it would be very easy to inspect when unbolted to get at the cup and rod bushings.

There are some pins inside the shifter mechanism that, if broken or loose, could prevent shifting into or out of any gear, depending upon the exact moment that things came apart!

It certainly wouldn't hurt to spend an hour or so to inspect things forward of the transaxle that could be causing problems!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

I found the most telltale sign for a shot trans is to drain your transmision fluid and look for syncro teeth/metal fragments etc in the drain plug

Dear Joe,
I hope that these guys' suggestion solve your 'Woes' and that you do not need a rebuild.
However to answer your questions with Vertex:
I am very happy with their work to date (despite them minor mistakes that were rectified at no extra cost to me!).
The cost for the rebuild was $1,400 parts and labor, not including tax of course. They quoted that they could do it in an afternoon but it did take a bit longer.
It started quite stiff but is already loosening up after 300 miles and so I am quite content.
The oil leak is not 100% fixed as I believe that the rocker cover gasket may be the culprit. I 'sinched' it up a bit yesterday but have'nt had a chance to give her a good run since (work!). Gilberto seems to charge an 'honest buck!' and that was a relief after my prior scare. I will add that these guys were/are always a big help with there advice which seems to come from a serious passion for Porsche and unlike garages,the most that they can expect to recieve in return is our heart -felt thanks ( That and the occaisional case of Swepco!)
Hope your problem is minor
rgds
Ben


[This message has been edited by 86ragtop (edited 12-12-2000).]

Good suggestions guys - thanks. Until one has been through these experiences, I suspect that we always assume the worst. I did pull the cover plate off the tunnel behind the seats to see how the coupler looked and to see if the nut was rounded off suggesting the coupler had been disconnected (and the tranny out) in the past. No evidence thereof - and no obvious problem. I should probably loosen it and this would be a good way to determine whether the binding is fore or aft of that point.

I stopped by the shop where I have the heavier work done and by looking on an invoice from a recent 915 OH estimated $1900ish. As always - thank for the advice and I will be back with the results of further inspection.


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Joe Riley
84 Carrera Targa
69 911S Coupe
http://members.rennlist.com/911andson/

86ragtop - glad to hear all ends well.

PS - if you are ever passing through Gainesville - the beer is on me.

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Joe Riley
84 Carrera Targa
69 911S Coupe
http://members.rennlist.com/911andson/

I have had the same problem. My topic was in a few days ago with a note for 915 rebuild-help. I finally decided to get it fixed by the local shop. The car just popped out of first and would not go back in. Second has been a little difficult since I got the car,about 6000 miles ago. That could also be a synro, but from what I have read that is not that much of an unusual problem. I am going to have the shop check the clutch while it is out. It seem fine but I don't know the history and it is easy to tell how much material is left. I really wanted to get to it myself but the only way I think I would have done it is to take one of the courses or get an old one and tinker with it first. Good luck and keep us posted on how it comes out. My is due back in about one week, as I will be out of town until then.

Les

Joe,

Your symptoms describe exactly what I had with an old GM car a couple of years ago.

My worst fears looked to come true, but it turned out to be a broken pilot bearing of the tranny.
Needed a bearing, sealing, and a new clutch as the one installed was totally oily, but it was no "major" damage to the tranny itself.

Hope you are lucky too.

Jens



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Joe.

I purchased a rebuilt 915 from Vertex this spring, and had it shipped to Canada via UPS. Then I replaced mine with the rebuild, VERY successful and satisfying.

I've decided to keep my old 915 core and when I get a chance, rebuild it myself. Someday you may see it on eBay.



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'80 911-SC Targa