Transmission rebuild

[nhurto]

The cars in the shop getting readied for the summer and the DE season with a tune up and fluid change. Got a call from them this afternoon saying that they found "bits of teeth" when they drained fluid from the transmission. The 915 seems to be shifting fine but I'd rather fix it now rather than have it blow out on the track. Any suggestions as to what else I should have them do while the transmission is out of the car? I was thinking an LSD would be a good start. Thanks.

[ChrisBennet]

Yes, I suppose LSD might make you feel better when you get the bill.
Get the 1st and 2nd gear dog teeth and syncros replaced at a minimum. I would replace the 1,2 slider also but if your wrench knows these boxes he may be able to deburr it instead. If those broken teeth get sucked into a gear they will wreck $tuff so it's good you caught them.
-Chris

[Jim Sims]

I'd replace all the synchro rings and brake bands while I was in there and probably the 1/2 slider (operating sleeve) and maybe even the 3/4 slider too depending on mileage and condition. Make sure they replace all the seals too. Cheers, Jim

[Dan Owens]

Word of caution here. Once you open the trans and start the job it can be a never ending job until it's a complete rebuild. Once you start talking about a couple gears and synchros and brake bands and slides, it doesn't stop easily. You can go for a complete rebuild and be safe or stop somewhere in the middle and hope that you stop at the right place parts wise. If you're tracking your car do you want to have it come apart in a year and revisit the project a second time. Not trying to be a doomsdayer here but I went down that road and the dollars start flying out the second time around. Just as an FYI you can pick up a rebuilt unit complete from Vertex in FLa for about $1,200 with your old one as a trade in , and I believe there are a number of other shops that offer the same service.

Dan O
84' Targa 3.2

[Teutonics]

The PO of my car spent over $4000 (incl. tax) FOR PARTS ALONE on a rebuild.... not including labor! I wouldn't believe it if I didn't have the receipt.

The Vertex unit sounds like a bargain.

[ChrisBennet]

I would find out just what parts are included in whatever "rebuild" you are getting.
-Chris

[john walker's workshop]

it's just a standard repair. you rarely need any actual gear sets. but don't skimp on the basics, or try to reuse worn shifting items. replace all syncros, all brake bands, 1/2 and 3/4 sliders, (5/rev is usually ok), the pressed on teeth for 1 and 2 for sure, and any others that are blunted. check the hubs that the sliders move on for severe notching, especially for 5/rev. the cast bearing retainers, which hold the shafts to the diff housing tend to wear and allow the shafts to move in/out, so pay attention to those. the bearings amazingly don't generally need replacing, but you never know. a competent shop should be able to do this in the $1600 range. if you can find a factory posi unit, they're a direct swap, with no reshimming needed, then there's the clutch, which needs to be checked when the engine is out.