Well, my $2900 NA is finally beginning to show some weakness. Shifting into first and second is becoming more difficult, so I figure the syncros are going or gone (running Redline and recent clutch flush/bleed). All other gears are smooth as silk. Can a self-taught, mechanically inclined relative newbie tackle this job? Should I just replace syncros, or should I do a new gear set or just 1st and 2nd? 1st and 2nd aren't noisy, but I'm sure they've gotten more wear than the others.

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Bump

I just signed up for a membership on Friday, I swear. It hasn't been processed yet.

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

 

double bump

 

i'm kinda curious about this as well. Surely someone here has done it.

 

No info on the rebuild, but it might be easier and cheaper to purchase a good used tranny. Don't know about yours, but most years are a straight swap.
I got one for $500 and it's been working great.

 

Just one more bump.

So: don't even try it--just get a good used one???

<img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

 

IMHO I would have to agree with the "buy a good used one" theory, so long as it is from a reputable place. IE: Nebraska Porsche Recyclers, etc.

 

I was told you need one hell of a press to do the syncros.. NOT some thing that can be done at home without something like $10,000 in tools.

 

There is no substitue for experience on this job. There are a number of small, similar looking pieces that come out when you take everything apart. I've watched my wrench do a number of them and still don't know how he gets them back together without anything left over. I'm with the others by saying go buy a good used one.

 

My suggestion would be to purchase another transaxle, then pull your old one apart and try fix it, it might be a simple/inexpensive thing to fix, then you have a spare.

 

If someone posted a picture of the inside of a Porsche transaxle, first you would laugh for a half an hour, then you would call Nebraska Porsche Recyclers.

 

Just looked at the parts schematic in my autoatlanta catalog and it doesn't look any worse than any other transmission that I have rebuilt. I started on VW 4 speeds, and an autostick then worked up to a Chevy automatic and a Nissan 5 speed all of which are still going strong. I think anyone with some time and the will to rebuild a transmission can do it. The only thing is if something needs to be pressed it, you may have to take it to a shop, typically they say just give me $5-20 to do a simple thing or even a good shop will do it for FREE if they are not busy.

 

Ok, still no info on someone actually doing this??? Where is that one crazy person who has done it? I've only rebuilt a tranny on a mazda b2000 and it was a little weird, but you just have to be organized!

Out

 

Okay, I confess, I've done it (for a 968).
The word is tools. Lots of them, all specialized, bought from Baum, dealer and other places. NO SUBSTITUTE. To break even, I'll need to overhaul about three more.
It isn't that it's so technically different than the normal mechanical work, especially if you follow the workshop manual (and it helps to have someone to ask who has done it before). But you do have to have access to a press, and all those special pushers and pullers listed in the manual.
Oh, and be prepared to pay for mistakes: if you hurt something in the process you'll have to replace it . . .

 

BRB944:

The tools are very expensive and you would have to do four or five to recoup the costs of the tools alone. Julian is right about paying for your mistakes. I have rebuilt other trannies but decided not to pursue this one. Actually bought a spare to run while I was redoing the original, but the head gasket blew, so the car was down anyway, and I just sent it out. Now I have a good spare tranny to sale.

Al Broadfoot redid mine for a reasonable fee. Kevin Gross does them as well.

Going used is the least expensive route.

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