Any way to test a transaxle?
 

as from my previous posting i got a side shift transaxle from a pick a part. Is there any way of testing it without putting it in a car? and was a side shift stock for a 1974 914?

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Sweet Blue 72' 914
Check it out at
http://www.geocities.com/eat_um_up/914.html

Spin the input shaft and see if it makes any noise.
Spin the output flanges and see if there is any noise. (Rattling is Very Bad in any of these.)
See if there is any leakage around the input shaft, the output flanges, the side-shifter console, etc.
See if the gear selector will select all gears.
In each gear, turn the input shaft and see if the output flanges turn. One will, the other may or may not. If only one does, hold it and see if the other one turns as well. Check for noise and smooth feel.

[Addition:]
Drain the tranny fluid (refill it later) and see what kind of condition it's in. Check for chunks in the fluid, and shavings on the magnet in the drain plug. Some "hair" is normal, chunks are Very Bad, and a whole lot of shavings are Somewhat Bad.

The side-shifter was the only transmission in 73+ cars. (Except for a handful of very early 73s.)

--DD

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Pelican Parts 914 Tech Support

A few pics of my car: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Dave_Darling

[This message has been edited by Dave_Darling (edited 08-28-2001).]

DD:
Both of mine turn in unison and when one is held the other stops as well. My hope is that this means I got lucky and have a LSD. Ever heard of any other explanation for such behaviour?
Is there any other way to tell?

Dave

Send it to me and I will test it for you. I promise to return it to you after I test it, but don't be dissapointed if the one you get back is a one legger :-)