915 detents - please help, brain is broken

Christien · Christien's Garage

So I've got my tranny out just to reseal it, because after I rebuilt it last winter I did a crappy job with the seals, and it dripped a bit. I took the end case off then the intermediate case, removing the 36mm nut and the stuff underneath it plus the one shift fork - only enough to get the intermediate housing off.

Do I need to be concerned about detents? I know I should know this after doing it all last winter, and trying to refresh my memory by reading here, but my brain isn't processing it. If I'm correct, the vertical one wasn't touched, and the horizontal one between the 2 shifter forks needs to be between the 2 forks (because I removed one, it's possible it's moved).

Am I right? And once it's all back together, can I thoroughly test it by shifting back and forth between all the gears and reverse, before putting it back in the car? Or can it still be screwed up even if I'm able to engage all the gears?

Thanks.

john walker's workshop · 03-24-2009, 04:24 AM

unless you removed the shafts from the diff housing, you just have the one in the center housing to worry about. it needs to be all the way down against the spring before installing the housing. pry out the cap and push it down if it's up top under the cap.

Porsche_monkey · 03-24-2009, 04:52 AM

What are you sealing it with Christien? Loctite 518?

Christien · Christien's Garage

Thanks John - my brain is working today and I got the case back together with all detents in the right position!

I bought a bottle of the Loctite 574 with my Pelican order as it seemed to have the most recommendations (including from you, I think - can't remember exactly, it was a few weeks ago) and I also had a bottle of Permatex "The Right Stuff", because George from BRG/Bestline said that was his 2nd favourite stuff, next to Threebond 1280, which I can't find anywhere. I ended up using the Permatex, for 2 reasons, 1. because of George's recommendation (and again, I think you also gave it a thumbs up when we were talking a while ago) and 2. because there was about twice as much of it in the tube, and I was worried about not having enough, and if I ran out, I can get it at the local NAPA store.

George suggested using it with no gasket, or even better using both, with the gasket maker on both sides of the paper gasket. I ended up using both, so one layer of liquid gasket on the case, then the paper gasket, then another layer of liquid gasket on the next case piece.

I think the real trick is making sure the mating surfaces are absolutely as clean as possible, and I think that's where I failed last time. I think I was just too hurried and wanting to get it back together as fast as possible. When I cracked it open this time, both paper gaskets were completely soaked in tranny oil - not just along the bottom where it was dripping, but around the entire circumference. Which tells me I never had a good seal. This time, I cleaned the living hell out of the surfaces, not just getting all the gasket gunk off, but also making sure they were bone dry - no tranny oil whatsoever. I cleaned all around everything with brake cleaner, 2 or 3 times around in some areas. If it leaks again this time, then to hell with it, I'll pay someone else to seal it and warranty their work!

Porsche_monkey · 03-24-2009, 12:18 PM

If it leaks bring it to me. I have threebond.

I also know that this is a safe promise because it wont leak on you with the loctite in there.

Christien · Christien's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche_monkey

it wont leak on you with the loctite in there.

Actually, I used the Permatex Right Stuff stuff. I hope your prediction still holds true, though!

Porsche_monkey · 03-25-2009, 08:23 PM

That stuff has a very good reputation. I know a mechanic who swears by it. Saw it at PartSource the other day, was thinking of adding it to my 'arsenal'.