New to list. Tranny problems - need help

[jkarlsso@metabolex.com (Jonas K.)]

OK, to me it sounds like the clutch disc took a dive.

Try this, press the clutch in, engage 1st, start car. Slowly let out clutch
pedal. 

Listen for noises, slight noises are OK, anything major then abort mission.

If the clutch comes all the way out, try shifting into 2nd without pressing
the clutch in. 

If it shifts OK then your problem lies between the crank and the gears on
the input shaft. 

Regardless, the course of action is to pull the tranny. Get a Bentley manual
first, more concise than the Haynes or Chilton. Once the tranny is out, you
can see if there is anything wrong with the clutch disc, or the pressure
plate. 

You can also turn the input shaft to see if there is any problem internal to
the tranny. 

FWIW, the SMS is not really what kills the tranny. The SMS will only cut a
hole in the case. It is when the lube drains out and the tranny is run dry
that it's killed. There is sometimes a _slight_ grinding sound from the
tranny, but no "nasty crunch" like what you describe. Then the dumping of
fluid (hard to notice when driving) followed by a kicking out of gear. Then
the damn thing dies.

If I was a betting man, I'd put $10 on that your clutch disc is in pieces in
the bellhousing. 

HTH, 
Jonas

BTW, Potterman (www.parts4vws.com) will get you a great deal on parts. Call
him. 

> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I just got an 84 Scirocco and think it may have suffered SMS, but it doesn't
> all add up (from what I've recently learned of SMS).
> 
> A few days ago, idling at a stop, I felt a nasty crunch from the tranny -
> felt like the car was hit.  Clutch in, first gear selected.  Took off
> without any further drama.  Last night, went from 1st to 2nd - heard a
> crunch -then nothing.  No power transmission whatsoever.  Feels like clutch
> is in permanently, but the clutch feels (and is) still working fine -
> linkage and pressure plate at least.
> 
> The clutch "feels" like it is working fine, but if I had to guess what is
> wrong, I would think it was the main shaft had snapped and that the clutch
> assembly is no longer attached to the transmission.  (just form the symptoms
> - tranny seems to be still driven from wheel side, but not from engine side)
> The tranny gears seem driven because when I towed it, synchros would wind up
> when 1st or second was tried.  At a stand still the lever goes in all gears
> - no problem.
> 
> Far fetched I know, but the symptoms I have read seems to steer me away from
> the final drive.  Then there are some things that point me to the final
> drive:  The clunk I heard a few days earlier could have been the first rivet
> making it's way out.  Already weakened it just needed a small amount of
> stress to shear the rest???
> 
> I realize I am grasping, but the remains of the tranny feel way to crisp for
> me to believe there is any serious damage in the tranny.  Is it possible to
> just fix the final drive without rebuilding the whole unit?  I have read
> they are a nightmare to work on, but is it possible - I am a fairly
> experienced mechanic, but I would not have any VW specific tools.
> 
> I have found an 82' Scirocco parts car with complete powertrain, and I am
> wondering if I should have the tranny updated before installation.  Again -
> is it possible to update to the replacement tranny with the bolt kit?  If so
> - any idea on what it should cost - or is it something you can do with
> regular hand/air tools?
> 
> Thanks for any advise!
> 
> 
> Rabin Rutten-James
> ISC Help Desk
> Phone: (9)798-8000 or 8-8000
> Fax: (306)787-4617
> rabin.rutten-james@isc-online.ca
> 
> 
> Rabin Rutten-James
> ISC Help Desk
> Phone: (9)798-8000 or 8-8000
> Fax: (306)787-4617
> rabin.rutten-james@isc-online.ca
> 
> 
> 
> 
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