Skip

First, the bad news - not really, we already knew this... right. One of the easiest 944 failures to troubleshoot is the Ring & Pinion Failure. If the sudden loss of power to the wheels accompanied by a loud bang doesn't give it away, you could always drain the fluid:



Still not convinced? Okay, pull the diff cover:



Now, the good news - I pulled the tranny by myself and didn't break any bones... not even a bruise [maybe a scratch tho ]

With the info from folks about the transaxle weight center (5-6" rear of diff center), I was able to make an accurate tranny jig to attach to my jack for removal and replacement [since I seem to do this often ]. Cost was free since I keep a good stock of lumber and hardware, but I estimate the cost at under $15 (including safety ratchet strap). It is designed around the use of a Sears 3-ton jack, but should work for any large jack with a bit of innovation.

Worked flawlessly - has the right amount of adjustment to accomodate differing angles - and seemed quite safe. FYI, this transaxle weighed in at 112lbs w/o fluid.





Skip

ast2000

Cool <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Thaddeus

That is very cool, Skip, but I would never have guessed the center of gravity is where the jack is placed! Looks weird but it must be dead on.

Could you measure up the wood and bolts and such and post a blueprint? Or offer plans for sale at Paragon?

Thaddeus

jim968

_Very_ good, Skip! I'm sure it'll be a very handy tool to have. Reminds me of the two-level wooden cart I made years ago to ease one-man engine pulling from air-cooled VW's... a buddy who's a mechanic still has it in his shop to move trannies & engines with.

I'll vote with Thaddeus on this'un... please post dinensions sometime.

Jim, hates re-inventing the wheel, and can adapt the idea to the Get-rag in the 968...

Skip

Thanks, guys - you're all good for the ego

Busy trying to get the car ready for DE, but I'll do up some rough draft of the design... though, supplied with a tape measure and the pictures it should be easy to duplicate. The only change I'm making is the front bolts (long struts going to front of bell-housing) will be a tad longer so I can put a bolt on the other side. This way worked fine, but when I was messing with the diff cover it wanted to lift off the pegs. Still, the safety strap keeps it well planted.

Now for those pesky bearings <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

Skip

Bri Bro

Skip, who sells the shims that go behind the races for the diff bearings to adjust the end play and backlash? Looks like about 7 sizes for one and 11 for the other. Is this a dealer only item?

Danno

You can get them from the dealer. The local one here tried to sell me the entire shim-kit which was kinda overkill for what I needed. Went to a local Porsche shop and they let me pick through their selections and get just the ones I needed...

Skip

[quote]Originally posted by Danno:
<strong>Went to a local Porsche shop and they let me pick through their selections and get just the ones I needed...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Oh, to live in SoCal... try that noise up here and they look at you with all three eyes - "You mean you want more than a lightbulb or key fob?". Hell, I try to "browse" the dismantler lots here and they ask what I'm looking for, specifically - is nothing sacred anymore - I'M SCAVENGING, CANNIBALIZING... IT WILL LIVE AGAIN - BETTER THAN BEFORE! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Help! Need Prozac!

Dano_944

Sweeeeeet! My '87 tranny is starting to 'sing' to me. I have a feeling I'll be making/doing this jig and job very soon.

Thaddeus

I grow old... I grow old... I shall wear the bottoms of my fenders rolled.

Do I dare to eat a peach? Shall I drive along the beach?
I've heard the synchros singing, each to each.

I hope to God they will not sing for me.

--The Love Song of J. Alfred Porscherock

(apologies to T.S. Eliot)

Peckster

It appears the 924/931/944/951/968 Forum now has a resident poet.

Stay away from beaches, or rinse your car off right after.

MichelleJD

Skip:

I'm to the point of needing a trans jig such as yours. Could you post a rough draft? How did you attach it to the jack? Any help would be greatly appreciated (for the non-engineers lurking here)

Tom Pultz

Those shocks look too clean... like it's seldom driven... oh I get it, it thinks it's a race car

Skip

Ha! You funny guy, Tom... kicking a man while he tranny-less Whenever I'm under the car I gently rub the Konis for good luck - keeps 'em clean too

Okay folks - no art or symmetry jokes, but here it is... ta-da, the 944 transaxle jig:

<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/944_tranny_jig_2.jpg" target="_blank"></a>

Click the image to see it fullsize (will have to change screensize to 1280x1024 or higher)

Again, this is just how I did it - maybe there's a better way. The floor jack I used is a Sears 3-ton - check your jack and the lifting plate carefully before attemting this... it may not be compatible. If you have the same jack, or one similar to it - simply remove the dish/cup from the top to reveal the flat mounting surface below... that's right, you gotta drill it Going through the center with one big bolt was no good because the other jack parts get in the way. Have fun!

Here are some more pics of the one I did (keep in mind this was scrap lumber and odd hardware - the plans a what I *would* have done):









Good Luck!

Skip

Thaddeus

Skip, you rock.