VW Bug Transmission Disassembly / Tutorial for 1969 Volkswagen Beetle

This is a full details video of me completely disassembling the transmission on my 1969 VW Bug. Removing the side diff covers, then the nose cone, then undoing the pinion gear and pushing out the gear carrier. Support my videos by subscribing!
Full VW Bug project details: www.corbinstre...
This is the transmission for my "Plug Bug" a 1969 electric VW that I converted in 2010. I was rear ended on the highway a few years ago and the wreck destroyed some bits of one transmission, so I attempted to make one working transmission from another that popped out of gear all the time. I'm by no way an expert, but this is a rough tutorial of how to do the steps. I hope it helps someone who is trying to figure this out. Feel free to ask me questions below and I'll try to recall what I did.
Original sped up video: • 1969 VW Bug Transmissi...
I also have footage of the assembly; the hard part there is adjusting the gear shifters.
Thanks everyone!
Corbin Dunn
www.corbinstree...

[@falconx5744]

Hey Buddy i know its been a few years since the video but i just wanted to say thanks cause its been a big help, im doing a full nut and bolt resto on a 64 beetle and im up to rebuilding the gearbox, your a champion Thankyou 🙏👍😊

[@CorbinDunn]

Thanks, glad it could help! I wish the audio was better. I ended up selling my VW about a month ago.

[@luckysapper5099]

Thank you, it was very helpful for my VW T1 restoration, like from me, explained perfectly

[@CorbinDunn]

Cool, glad it helped! Sorry for the super bad audio.

[@ApexPro-Chris]

Yard racer, that gear in the first part normally nothing happens to this. That gear rolls with the second on a shaft through to the gear box. On the gear box side there is 2 types of reverse gears. One is double side and can be turned around and use the other side. The second later type used one side gear. Reverse goes out if that gear chips/breaks. Easy fix, however if the gears break one the slider one the pinion shaft set. You have to disassemble the gear set and check to make sure other gears didn’t get damaged from the broken pieces flopping around.

[@fabrice7584]

Toujours au top même le laser pour alignée les points 😮😂😂😂 félicitations me languis de voir la suite 😊

[@avleerxo]

Its me again. Good job. Looks like the first trans you disassemble.

[@CorbinDunn]

Yup! First or second, but like I said in the video...I don't do this often and I'm not a pro. Just documenting the process so others can figure it out too.

[@vapertrail5389]

Great video! Thanks so much for putting it up for us, it's a huge help.

[@CorbinDunn]

Glad it could help!

[@percivalbutler7301]

2a, , 454wrh4343 2 , 4 ,, ,,

[@BasedBidoof]

huh so it's that easy. Good to know, I was worried about how difficult it would be to tear into

[@petrocksgarage]

Good job. That trans was much bigger than I anticipated. Brass drift-punches are good for beating on metal surfaces without marring them up without the danger of splinters. :-)

[@CorbinDunn]

Pet Rock's Garage yeah man, good idea! I even have a piece laying around I could use.

[@jakewelder6413]

Brass will most definitely Mar aluminum and magnesium even when its cast. So will anything if you hit it hard enough .I make my own hardwood, leather, and aluminum tools for sensitive work.I use a dead blow mostly to strike them

[@jmcdo28]

This is a really good video. I was a pro (ford not vw) but you took some mystery out of it for me. Also, you need a speed handle or battery operated 3/8 impact. 😃

[@CorbinDunn]

Yeah, that would be awesome. I like excused to buy more tools ;)

[@gmd1417]

Interesting and helpful video---thanks for posting!

[@randall1959]

Get a pair of c clip pliars and you don't have to buy new clips for the drive flanges. It pays to have the right tools.

[@CorbinDunn]

I’ve got a set! They don’t work on the flange covers.. or I just haven’t learned how to do it.

[@randall1959]

@@CorbinDunn I just bought a set at Oreilly's. I just had to change my seals and was pulling my hair out trying to get them out with screw drivers. They have flat jaws at the end.

[@randall1959]

@@CorbinDunn I didn't mean to sound so snarky in my original post. I actually had this video saved because I have a 70 I wanted to tear down and that "special tool" thing reached up and bit me. I had to buy a pinion socket just in time to find out yours didn't have that. Fortunately I was able to get it apart and I have a broken shifter fork. Looking for another one.

[@CorbinDunn]

@@randall1959 No problem! Man..it's a bummer, I had a box of old transmission stuff (including a fork) and gave it away a few years ago. I bet if you post on some VW forums or VW Facebook groups that you could find someone who has one laying around.

[@randall1959]

@@CorbinDunn I've got some feelers out. I've heard I can swap out the brass one for a cast iron one and that would fix the issue. In the meantime I've got a spare that's noisy but it's working. It sounds like an old jeep.

[@willstillill9591]

Excellent

[@e-curb]

The right hand side is the side that the starter is on. You must remove the diff from the LEFT side. It cannot be removed from the right side.

[@CorbinDunn]

Thats correct, and it is what I was doing in the video. I might have said "right side" because of the orientation of the transmission in the video to where I was standing. Thank you for the clarification!

[@carlohiomile]

Nice video but please get yourself a air ratchet and cut you bolt removal time waaaaay down. Sorry couldn’t finish it because I was getting nervous watching you undo all the bolts by hand.

[@CorbinDunn]

Hah, an air ratchet would be awesome. I just can't justify the cost, as I don't do enough wrenching on cars. I did a sped up version of this video, and some people asked for the 1:1 speed version...so, that's what this is!

[@carlohiomile]

Corbin Dunn you can get one cheap at harbor freight and believe it or not they work really well.....got a cheap one over 25 yrs ago jc whitney & used it almost every day at my 76 station and it still works great just add a couple drops of air tool oil when using it.

[@alexistripp7581]

This has been very helpful. When you went to remove the 4 bolts at the pinion was there a piece of metal that locked the bolts in place?

[@CorbinDunn]

Oh boy, I don’t quite recall, sorry!

[@alexistripp7581]

@@CorbinDunn Thats ok I just bent them out of the road to access the bolts. They help lock the bolts in place

[@BasedBidoof]

Do you have any recommendations for re-assembly? I've heard some people say you need a jig, or an old transmission case cut up to align the forks. I don't really wanna cut up a good case, or pay a lot of money for a jig to use once or twice

[@CorbinDunn]

I think I posted an assembly video. I did cut up an old case to check the forks.. but I didn’t have to adjust them so it was moot.

[@BasedBidoof]

@@CorbinDunn thanks for the quick reply!

[@YARDRACERS]

hey there, i just knocked my reverse gear out. can it be replaced just by what you show in the 1st part of this vid?

[@CorbinDunn]

YARD RACERS I think it can, but I’m not sure. Depends on what came out and how

[@YARDRACERS]

@@PietriGuitars Mine still sets waiting 3 years later LOL i just put another one in. We drive trails and i only use my reverse to back off the trailer.

[@harleycruiser4331]

That was painful to watch. Please edit out half of this or more.

[@CorbinDunn]

I have an edited version I mention in the description; this video was a request from some people to have the full version. Yeah, the audio is terrible! All I had was a GoPro back then.

[@MrGarcon98]

anything on replacing the hockey stick seal in the nose cone ?

[@CorbinDunn]

I don’t recall replacing it myself, but I know once the nose cone is off the hockey stick can be pushed out. You might only have to remove the nose cone... but I haven’t messed with the transmission in a few years so my memory might be fuzzy on it.

[@MrGarcon98]

@@CorbinDunn thank you

[@papachubby1951]

Was the transmission in neutral when you removed thehockey stick?

[@CorbinDunn]

Yes, I had it in neutral -- it makes it easier when assembling it. I've also heard that if it isn't in neutral that the hockey stick can sometimes get stuck in gear during assembly.

[@irate74]

Hey bro what's the title of the book you read to help you out w this?

[@CorbinDunn]

irate74 it’s the Bentley VW manual - there is only one!

[@irate74]

Does yours look like either of these? vwparts.aircooled.net/VW-Bentley-Manuals-s/164.htm

[@michaelferrer4657]

q

[@doacarnage]

Next time more light, cant see shit

[@CorbinDunn]

For sure! My video and filming skills weren't as great 3 years ago. The audio is also pretty terrible.

[@martywolf1819]

What pinion bolts ?

[@CorbinDunn]

Hmm.I'm not sure what you mean....that there aren't any or something about them? It's been quite a few years since I took apart the transmission so I don't recall all the details too well at this point .

[@martywolf1819]

@@CorbinDunn I figured it out mine had a large nut