I have a 1966 baja beetle with you're basic 6 volt transaxle. Running a pretty stout turbocharged engine though. I've had this car going for over 4 years now and the transmission has always had 2 problems. First, it falls out of second gear on hard decel offroad sometimes. Second, it seems to be making this loud howl or hum that reverberates through the whole body of the car when you get some speed. Sometimes it happens when driving slowly too. It could almost be described as a wind noise and honestly I still sometimes wonder if its just wind blowing through this ratty baja body... It seems to come from the whole car.
One other thing though. No matter what, if I replace the input shaft seal it still leaks past that seal and into the bell housing.
Is this possibly just wheel bearings? I honestly don't have any issues with the transaxle aside from the wild noise coming from who knows where. You just can't pinpoint it. Shifts just fine but that noise is deafening. I have the cash right now to replace the transaxle with something better but I would rather not if its something simple to fix.
Considering a replacement transaxle
-
- Posts: 166
- Joined: Sun Nov 17, 2013 6:42 pm
Re: Considering a replacement transaxle
Somethings to consider with the input shaft seal are:
Pilot Bearing bad or gone - causes input shaft to angle too much for seal to seal.
Is it the crank seal on the engine - you can tell by what kind of oil it is.
Might check your trans mounts with the popping out of second offroad, is it bouncing around too much? Although this might not be the case if it's solidly mounted (steel mounts and no rubber mounts), which also causes a lot of noise into the car.
I'd really think about how easy it was to center your clutch disc with the pilot tool, that might give you an idea on the pilot bearing.
Pilot Bearing bad or gone - causes input shaft to angle too much for seal to seal.
Is it the crank seal on the engine - you can tell by what kind of oil it is.
Might check your trans mounts with the popping out of second offroad, is it bouncing around too much? Although this might not be the case if it's solidly mounted (steel mounts and no rubber mounts), which also causes a lot of noise into the car.
I'd really think about how easy it was to center your clutch disc with the pilot tool, that might give you an idea on the pilot bearing.
-
- Posts: 17730
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Re: Considering a replacement transaxle
Have you checked the adjustment location of the shifter (especially if you have an after market adjuster short throw shifter)? Not saying it is but sometimes, if the shifter isn't in the proper location the shifter (hence the shift rod to the trans) could be out of adjustment which can cause some of the things you are talking about.
Lee
Lee
-
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:18 pm
Re: Considering a replacement transaxle
Actually, for a while I did have the trans moving about and replacing the mounts with eurethane and adding a brace near the nose cone end DID HELP the second gear pop-out. It still happens from time to time though.
The input shaft is definitely floppy when unsupported by the engine. Very easy to get the clutch disk lined up.
The input shaft is definitely floppy when unsupported by the engine. Very easy to get the clutch disk lined up.
-
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:18 pm
Re: Considering a replacement transaxle
I just removed the roof rack. If I get a chance to go out tomorrow, I'll see if maybe this ridiculous noise is roof rack related. I also got the whole front hood area sealed up better to cut down on wind noise. If it's not those things, the only thing left is the transmission.
-
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:18 pm
Re: Considering a replacement transaxle
Holy poop, the deafening sound was just the roof rack. There's the tiniest whine that I suspect is coming from the differential though. It's more pronounced at low load or when coasting. Not bad though.
That noise was so intense. Just the roof rack?! Damn.
That noise was so intense. Just the roof rack?! Damn.
-
- Posts: 17730
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Re: Considering a replacement transaxle
Is your roof wracked (damaged)? If it was that loud I would check for damage as a roof is very important structurally (when you have a roof anyway). Not trying to be a smart ass here.Coyotemutt wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:55 pm Holy poop, the deafening sound was just the roof rack. There's the tiniest whine that I suspect is coming from the differential though. It's more pronounced at low load or when coasting. Not bad though.
That noise was so intense. Just the roof rack?! Damn.
Lee
-
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:18 pm
Re: Considering a replacement transaxle
Oh, no the roof is in fine shape. A couple small dents from the inside out from fitting up a roll cage inside. Not even rusted.Ol'fogasaurus wrote: ↑Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:42 amIs your roof wracked (damaged)? If it was that loud I would check for damage as a roof is very important structurally (when you have a roof anyway). Not trying to be a smart ass here.Coyotemutt wrote: ↑Wed Mar 31, 2021 8:55 pm Holy poop, the deafening sound was just the roof rack. There's the tiniest whine that I suspect is coming from the differential though. It's more pronounced at low load or when coasting. Not bad though.
That noise was so intense. Just the roof rack?! Damn.
Lee
-
- Posts: 17730
- Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2006 10:17 pm
Re: Considering a replacement transaxle
Good to hear!
Lee
Lee