dlagerstrom

Sigh.

I hate stuff like this. Greg pointed out there are some mysteries that are only learned with experience. Some call that wisdom.

Frankestein's original post was well received by me as I have an extra box sitting here that I will likely dig into at some point when I have time. I have rebuilt 915 boxes before and know that making it shift like a hot knife through butter is easier said than done. There are things you only figure out through experience.

I appreciate Greg's post and do not expect him to attempt to share the long list of 'secrets' he has learned over the years. I am not even sure how he would do it.

Please, let's keep this friendly. Simply ask questions and hope wise people like Greg continue to answer.

upstate bob

I for one appreciate Frankenstein's informative post. The big starting point, as he mentioned, is to have a nice, spacious work area and bench top. I had a VW bug that I had considered repairing the trans in but after reading of the horrors of doing so, installed a donor unit. -and was glad of it. When I first got my 79 I admit to grinding the gears a few times but now seem to have learned what not to do. It shifts fine in all gears and synchros work good except for first. -dunno if that is actually supposed to work anyway. I usually start in second for normal/casual driving.

Fronkenstein

Jim,

Since you helped Greg rebuild your transaxle perhaps you can reveal some of the mysteries.

I doubt there could be any negative impact to anyone's business since likely on a very small percentage of 928 owners will attempt to do so. Then for those of us foolish enough to embark on such an endeavor a number of us will fail and require the services of guys like Greg. Therefore its a win / win for 928 owners and shop owners.

Sharing information is how things are improved. It's what makes a forum useful. It's why we contribute.

With the potential of beating a dead horse and annoying the readership: Anyone care to contribute anything useful here? The subject is: DIY 928 transaxle rebuild.

Thanks,

Fronkenstein

James Bailey

My contribution was cleaning parts...lots of them since my original box was so trashed as to not be usable even as a core. Trans two while in much better shape also needed much more than just syncros but they all do .... after being shown what to look for I sorted through boxes of used gear sets for the least worn then let Gregg tell me what was wrong with it before getting another after much sorting and many new parts I watched Gregg assemble it, all along he pointed out subtle differences and common mistakes. So yes I learned a lot but mostly it was too much information too quickly.
Now that early gear box shifts GREAT far better than it ever did even 15 years ago, no need to double clutch ever. New discs in the slip and doubled up for max lock, all is good .

SwayBar

Andrew, I don't think anyone could have stated it better.

It needed to be said, and should have been said much earlier.

Fronkenstein

It's in the car, shifts as they say "like buttah". Thanks to all of you like Brian (The Deputy) who actually contributed things of value like information and encouragement.

Fronkenstein

The Deputy

However, l ain't gonna lie...my finger quivered over the topic for a few seconds before I got the nerve to tap the tablet...l was like...for the love of God please let this be good news or heaven help us if it isn't...lol.

This is excellent news...but we need pictures of you doing donuts in the neighbors yard as verification.

Two thumbs up and good job getting this car moving again.

Brian.

The Fixer

Great news but video of you shifting would be even cooler !

Fronkenstein

Coming soon to a theatre near you

The Deputy

Yes, shifting while doing donuts would be much better...

The Fixer

LOL

mark kibort

I cringe when anyone double clutches in a modern car. the old reason for that was, ancient V8s had a huge , beefie driveline to slow down to match gears at different shift speeds. a synchro has to be pretty weak (almost non existant) to need it to be assisted with a double clutch in modern cars, to match engine to driveline speeds. So, is it possible that you might have had a bad INT plate adjustment?
one of the other techniques on down shifting with weak synchros, is to make sure you pre rev the engine and not push the pedal all the way to the floor..... this has the same effect as "double clutching" as it spins up the driveline while you are going through neutral and then allows whats left of the sychros to do a little work in the final small matching of engine speed vs driveline speed.

James Bailey

Mark I drive manual transmission all the time.... current fleet 2002 Passat 5 speed, 2007 Passat 6 speed, 2007 Nissan Frontier 4wd six speed and the old very brown 1980 928, my wife has the only automatic VW "Cayenne" ......started out 54 years ago driving cars which did not have syncros. You really think you can tell me anything about shifting or 928s ? I rather doubt it ! not that that will stop you

Rob Edwards

Mark is not interested in your fact-based agenda.

hacker-pschorr

I always thought this should be his avatar: