Setting the Ring and Pinion?

[roadtrp204]

My tranny needs a new ring carrier bearings, one developed a small pit from sitting and condensation or something. I talked to a local shop and they said I was better of finding another used tranny because setting the ring and pinion is listed as five hours at $65/ hour. What is the process for setting the ring and pinion on our transaxles since the unit is complete enclosed when assembled? None of the books I have read show this, nor do any of the parts catalogs show tools for this.

[Ron Meier]

The setting up of the ring and pinion involves:

1. Setting the depth the pinion gear teeth sit in relation to the teeth on the ring gear (proper gear mesh). This is usually accomplished with shims on the pinion shaft. You can see the wear pattern on a used set (polished areas on the teeth).

2. Ring gear tooth clearance (lash) is set via adding shims behind the carrier bearings or behind the ring gear.

(My experience is with rwd pumpkins, not VW transaxles)

3. Proper measurement is done dial indicators.

4. If not correct, the gear teeth will eventually begin "howling" and eat each other up or a tooth or teeth get broken off.

Will check in the Factory workshop manual (microfiche) and see if the procedure is given.

[jabb]

I believe that the ring and pinion lash is set by the thickness of the gaskest used between the intermediate shaft and the main body of the transmission. You can purcshase these gaskets in different thickness... and they are put in sets of 2 0r three to set the lash....

[Otto]

Just replace the bearing. There will be shims under the bearing, put those back. Between the intermediate plate and the differential housing will have some gaskets or gasket between them. They come in three thicknesses .004(tan) .006(green) .008(brown), these should remain the same. I have seen one gasket, and I've seen four gaskets. This pinion shaft depth was set up by Schultz at ZF in the '70s. That is why you get four gaskets in the gasket, one tan, one green, one brown, and one green one that is for the rear cover. If you have blotched this seen it to me and I will sort it out. OTTO

[john walker's workshop]

you don't need to reset the gears. bearings are the same the world over. nothing changes. gasket thickness should be duplicated as otto said.

[roadtrp204]

I did see the shims stacked under the race, these were my actual reason for concern. I thought that the new bearing might be a different dimention, I forgot that the total height is also one of the specifications listed in the book and will be same for the new bearings. Also what is the recommended process for seating the bearings: hot and cold, press, BFH ?

How about setting the pinion depth, I know about the different colored gaskets. But if I would like to change the pinion and main shaft bearings while I am in there, I would like to know if it would be in my capabilities to do so. I have read some info on setting domestic type soild rear axle stuff, so is there some special dial indicator attatchment that fits through the vent or is it trial and error with the blue ink? I have replaced the syncros and have the jig for setting the gears, so I am fimiliar with the tranny and it parts, just not with the specifics as far as setting the ring and pinion.
Thanks,

[Otto]

Replacing any bearings in your tranny should not require any set-up other than the shift forks and selector sleeves. OTTO