Rebuilding the Trabant's Engine: Part 2 - Rebuilding The Gearbox

[@steveg5122]

In today's episode we discover what really grinds Robert's gears.

[@steveg5122]

In today's episode Robert switches gears and gets wood off his mind.

[@emolgatheelectricsquirrel6734]

Steve G your comment says it was put up 3 days ago XD

[@steveg5122]

@@emolgatheelectricsquirrel6734 patreon

[@emolgatheelectricsquirrel6734]

Steve G oh, well thanks for supporting him

[@bacon.cheesecake]

@@steveg5122 In today's episode, Robert gets exterminated by one of his commenters

[@Eksamen0774]

"Every good marriage needs a good beating" Best line ever Keep up the great work, Rob!

[@vabu94]

And in modern KZbin way it had to be followed with "That was a joke"

[@AakeTraak]

You think his wife has stopped beating him?

[@uzivatel56]

And screwing followed after that.

[@Nderak]

In a video containing "grinding" and "screwing"???

[@potentix]

Eksamen 007 im reporting your comment.

[@Zizumia]

"Draw out the Speedometer drive from the bush" Hahaha! That got me dying hahaa!

[@kevinmajor2483]

I had to watch that like 10 times.. for some reason, it had me rolling on the floor.... I'm laughing now thinking about it......

[@larsdassein]

Never in my life would I have thought a video of someone disassembling and reassembling a Trabant gearbox would be entertaining. Well you proved me wrong, good job!

[@kingtut5923]

Me neither , hey Joe get another bottle of fireball found part 2....Happy new year Ben /Alberta

[@ErikHare]

I believe the engine might be more powerful if replaced with a white cat. Possibly more reliable.

[@MyFabian94]

Pussibly?

[@Junkotherstuff]

Do that and starting the engine will simply be a matter of petting the Trabant's doors.

[@isecore]

Dude, I think a hamster in a wheel would provide more power and torque than the engine of a Trabant. :)

[@Scitch87]

Would also sound more powerful if the cat is purring.

[@MrStrandgsx]

IRC the white cat version was 15bhp less, the ginger cat equivalent was much more economical and reliable, no ones ever dared making the black cat version, I'm hoping AMG will consider it :D

[@DW7887]

East-german born guy learning about Trabant gear box by an American ... modern times ;-)

[@Spongschbob]

Ich auch 😂

[@friddevonfrankenstein]

no shit...same here :D

[@mntsay8729]

AchgottAchgott! ^^'

[@uiopuiop3472]

|/\|/\|3|3/\|_/\(|

[@dankabal]

and a hungarian guy sells trabant to an American. Imagine that line in the years of 60'-70'.

[@eberbacher007]

As a German I can only congratulate you on your efforts with these cars. Sadly now they have gotten quite expensive (at least for being basically a shoebox on wheels) but 15 years ago you could still get these vehicles in perfect condition for a couple of hundred euros and non running ones basically for a case of beer and "get it off my lawn by saturday evening"

[@thebetatester800]

9:14 The most satisfying noise ever

[@onesandzeroes]

Except of course the Trabi's engine revving.

[@Berchol]

thebetatester800 That’s the main purpose of that cover: to make an oddly satisfying noise when it pops out

[@opl500]

I approve of adding cats to videos.

[@NJP76]

Random Cattage. LOL.

[@noompunk]

I second this

[@RelakS__]

With laser pointer of course XD

[@marbella91]

A few months ago I did the same thing to my Trabant´s transmission, because the freewheel clutch had died. As far as I understand it however, it is the surface of the inner race that is wearing down and the rollers can´t wedge themselves onto it anymore. As I wasn´t sure whether my transmission was the old or the new version, I had ordered both versions of the freewheel inner race. After measuring the ID of both parts, I can assure you that both of them are exactly the same ID(down to 0.01mm/ roughly .0005"), so both versions will press on the same shaft with a hydraulic press, as you demonstrated. Heating/torching is not required on either install or removal. Why the key was omitted later is beyond my knowledge, one might suspect cost savings thou. But I´m still surprised that your key was sheared off. Make sure that the speedometer drive has some up/down movement, as this can happen when the unit slips during assembly. If the shaft is not moving, you can add a shim washer underneath the bushing. And the weird oil feed screw is, as you suspected, forcing oil into the hollow shaft and out through ports to lubricate the gears. When I disassembled my transmission, I was equally puzzled by the manual, which is sometimes difficult to understand even as a native German. Anyway, the cover containing the oil feed thingy had been RTV´d generously by the previous owner of my Trabant, so I tried to carefully pry off the cover, slipped, and bent the hell out of the oil feed device. Bent it roughly back straight, transmission is fine. Reminds me of doing an oil change, though... Been daily-driving my 1969 Trabant for almost six years now, btw.

[@vini1277]

Wow you daily drive your trabi? What an absolute madlad.

[@marbella91]

@@vini1277 why not? These cars were made for daily driving.

[@vini1277]

Well, your right! RIP the earth though. You know, I'm 16 and live in Belgium (so trabis are not that far away). And I hope I can own one one day! Enjoy yours!@@marbella91

[@purplesparc]

@@vini1277 There's a catalytic converter available for Trabis. I've been driving with one for about 5000 kilometers and it has no negative effect on power output of the engine.

[@vini1277]

Wow I didn't know that! Does that mean it could pass emission tests for regular cars? Because if I'm not mistaken it has to pass that to be able to be a daily driver?@@purplesparc

[@jocking3]

Some tips/education: - The cover with the spiral metal thingy you first took off the gearbox is basically an oil pump. It goes inside the shaft and as the shaft turns, the spiral metal thingy helps the oil flow to the gears. - The red cover should be made of metal and a concave shape. It's fixed in place by putting it in its hole with the concave side inside, then hitting it with a hammer, so its concave shape "flips" to the other side, making the cover to stuck in the hole. Some sealant/glue is also needed.

[@jwalster9412]

The metal spiral thing straight up looks like a metal burr that gets created from cutting aluminum at my work.

[@agentv1240]

Archimedes' oil pump

[@staceyrenner5418]

Well this just made a crappy Tuesday morning in a hell of a lot better.

[@ragzard]

Just came here in the comments session to say that I love this channel. That's it. Keep entertaining us!

[@joannaatkins822]

It's so refreshing to watch a fellow plank/total rube struggle with projects like I do. Thanks Aging Wheels!

[@ModernDIYProjects]

Pfffft! This guy is a piker. I struggle way more than he does....... wait, that didn't come out right?!

[@jasonthomas1799]

4:50 this moment is amazing.

[@beewald3107]

This is gonna be so good when the car finally runs. I can't wait!

[@oganvildevil]

"I'm not a mechanic!" * mechanics *

[@ArmadaAsesino]

3:35 I love the way German compound words get literally translated to English haha. Great video overall! Can't wait for part 3.

[@Thomas_Bergel]

Lassi Kinnunen In german you could also compound forever... (Rindfleischetikettierungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz (i think) was the longest german word once)

[@tonykirchner5418]

Everything on that car is so cute and adorable!

[@ghydda]

No it is not. It is a pile of junk and should be treated as such, IMO.

[@tonykirchner5418]

@@ghydda Don't say that, you will hurt Trabbi's feelings!

[@emolgatheelectricsquirrel6734]

ghydda how dare you, poor Trabbi, always bullied

[@ДимитријеКончар]

@@ghydda i love Trabants your a piece of junk go drive your boring ass 4cyl automatic camry filled with starbucks and cigarette butts

[@doublebulbing]

@@ghydda so are you saying he should LS swap it

[@albi2k88]

My neighbour has Trabant to this day and I first time in my life watch Trabant's drivetrain internals on video filmed 5000 miles away.

[@MontieMongoose]

Using a pencil as a clutch sounds like it would break often. That would be pointless.

[@Junkotherstuff]

That's a sharp observation.

[@olivervigilia6351]

Now i wonder if the clutch disc material is made of eraser... Lol. 😅

[@tamiwu0346]

H a h

[@JohnSmith-eo5sp]

Yes, since lead of a pencil is made of a brittle combination of clay and graphite particles, not solid graphite

[@stanrogers5613]

@@JohnSmith-eo5sp Depends on the pencil. A 9B is just graphite, no clay.

[@parkerfiskar3589]

I'm so fascinated by these oddball cars. Thank you, Robert!

[@BrainStirmKZ]

It's oddball to you, friend. I'm from Bulgaria (eastern Europe, Balkans). Here, as we were under communist regime from 1944 to 1989 - the Trabi is quite common. It was old even when i was 12 years old. And it was the first car, that got me interested in mechanical stuff. Then there was the Lada 2101, and other classic russian clankers... All of those primitive commie machines have a place deep in my heart. Ridiculously simple, and almost idiot-proof! There are a lot of them running around here, even in 2019. Yet i still drool, when i think how americans built their cars back then. Still simple, rugged and reliable as hell, but much more powerful and comfortable, and there is no need to even mention how much more beautiful and cool they were (and are, to this day)!

[@loosewheels1000]

Parker, you should have a look at the Citroen 2cv, 625cc engine, up from 400 odd cc, so simple to work on as well, all just unbolts.

[@Drottninggatan2017]

Mystical antiwear oil. That sounds like a treat. What else did they have? Horse liniments and snake oil?

[@zuestoots5176]

Its called ZINC and MOLY. Your engine loves it, Converters hate it.

[@arnienonymous4458]

As a veteran of classic VW Beetle engine rebuilding, this is about as entertaining as a German transmission rebuild video can get. Keep up the stellar work sir!

[@cameronjenkins6748]

Aging wheels releases a new Trabant video! "And there was much rejoicing."

[@dvdouden]

Yayyyyyyy

[@mikezeke7041]

I think this is my favorite car channel at the moment. Great writing, great content, great humor. 👍👍

[@SimpleElectronics]

Holy crap this is entertaining! I can't say I have ever split a gearbox while half standing on a workbench and half standing on a stepladder and ending up with the countershaft and gearbox stuck and wondering how I would get down. This is awesome, 10/10

[@gryfandjane]

Interesting stuff! Those graphite release bearings were also used in some British cars, although my late MG Midget has the roller type as used by Triumph in the Spitfire. A definite rule of thumb with those bearings is to avoid disengaging the clutch except for gear changing. For example, no holding the clutch down at stoplights, etc. Enjoyed this one, thanks!

[@hakanilkin]

Robert, your approach to gearbox (did)assembly and life in general is so refreshing. I have become an avid follower of both of your channels. Thank you for the content.

[@thiggy1249]

Your Trabant graphite throwout bearing is just like the old VW Beetle throwout bearings.

[@jeffmallison7876]

I'm guessing many cars used these since my MG Midget did also.

[@jacquesblaque7728]

Mk I AH Sprites (948 cc) also, like the one I raced back when. (They're first cousins.)

[@JohnSmith-eo5sp]

I thought he said the Trabant had a "throw-out bushing"

[@nerd1000ify]

@@JohnSmith-eo5sp A bushing is another name for a plain bearing, i.e. a bearing with no rolling elements.

[@JohnSmith-eo5sp]

@@yt45204 probably

[@mikedrop4421]

How could 6 people give this video a thumbs down? Is there Trabant gearbox rebuild videos on KZbin that are superior to this one? Or equal to this video? Or another video to compete with this one at all? Well if there is one I refuse to believe it's better than this glorious video. KZbin was invented for quirky, homemade videos just like this.

[@scott8919]

20:19 "And like any good marriage, a beating is required." 🤣

[@Vault1337]

"The Trabant's clutch is disengaged with a pencil" - man, I almost choked on my morning coffee!

[@-Billerboller-Klangtherapie]

And it can also be used for a BMW R35. At least the pads fit exactly.

[@DanielPinel]

The way he said it made me LOL

[@kevinnielsen1356]

Refreshing to enjoy your humility, humor and intelegence. Thanks

[@Alexandra-Rex]

Now, imagine how many other things we all have done wrong just cause there wasn't another random thing that made us look closer into it :D

[@commodoresixfour7478]

You may not think your a mechanic, but you are. And by working on this you are showing us how to do it. Even if you don't do some things right, you are showing us what to expect and can learn from the few mistakes your making. I just need one of these cars now!

[@geddy1972]

you sir are brilliant ! you need your own TV show ! I love the way that you freely admit you don't know what you are doing and don't try to bullshit anyone that watches this and try to prove you know everything about everything !

[@Lee01Mr]

You need your own tv show. Love this guy!

[@twongi3000]

The Trabant is the only car in which removing the engine is considered a performance upgrade

[@rodoherty1]

😂

[@EricDKaufman]

You are the very antithesis of Bad Obsession Motorsports.... I salute you and BOM!!!

[@agusgolturbo]

Why on earth this is SO entertaining is beyond me. but i cant stop watching this videos.

[@MartinodePueblo]

I watched one of your last video's about anxiety and this video helped me so much. I have a nissan cherry 1986 and the bearing on the input shaft of the transmission is garbage. I am so scared of opening it up that's she has been sitting in my driveway for half a year. This really helped to show me that i shouldn't be that scared to do it myself. Thank you very much.

[@shug831]

There a many of these still running around Bulgaria today!

[@BrainStirmKZ]

Тъкмо това обяснявах на Marc по-горе!

[@spokehedz]

You got a thumbs up because of that AMAZING animation for the one-way-bearing.

[@Traderjoe]

I appreciate the simplicity of things like this and vintage VWs.

[@samuelgarcia7776]

Those bearings that allows the gear assembly to turn one way but won't allowe it to spin the other way, that assembly is normally called a "one way sprag clutch"

[@DatKogasa]

I really can appreciate the humor you have, it's very similar to the humor of many technicians at the dealership I worked at remarkably. Keep it up!

[@neildrd]

in 2004 I felt blessed to witness an actual living, breathing Trabant in real life on a trip to Cuba. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to experience the thrill of witnessing the insides of a Trabant's transmission. Mein gott youtube is truly amazing! ;-)

[@Dosahka]

Ohh man, lookin at you Trabant videos, it's joyful, i remember when my dad always fixing our Trabant, it wasn't like yours, it was bearing all over around...swearing i mean... Believe it or not, when someone decided to have one these they had order it and wait about 6 months before they got it, at least in Hungary

[@justsomeone89]

@0.11 My Trabant exhaust is equipped with one of those... (a ceramic one, not an organic one) It's a 1.1 from 1991. Sometimes they got one (almost always on a later date)

[@Max.Mustermann.]

im looking at this thinking about fixing the Trabant from my dad which sits in his garage since some years... it sure needs some whacking here and there and maybe a little kiss on the roof but if i dont start fixing it for him it wont get back to a running state ... so thanks for sharing your experience and your wrong doings (prevents others from doing them x) ) even if this is not an "How to" its teaches alot about the mechanics :) Im looking forward to watch all the other videos of this "Trabant Series" :) Greetings from Germany 👍❤

[@butterbaum7420]

Ive got a Trabant myself and its my fist car bevor that i had no idea how even a sparkplug works but .. this car is like a schoolbook u can learn so much by just tearing it apart big respekt tho for the transmission

[@philipdubuque9596]

Many thanks for a highly entertaining video. And yes, the graphite release bushing does seem (in ways I can't yet explain) far cooler than its mere ball bearing equipped equivalent. Well done! Keep it comin'.

[@sharkyamundsaen1640]

9:41 smell of my childhood, always takes me back

[@philhealey449]

Well, at the start I was determined to object to this, but he is really right up there with, if not ahead of the legendary Mr Hubnut's self-deprecating comentary documenting his battles with some of the world's most sub-standard and decayed automotive icons. More skill here than he admits to ! Thanks!

[@andybobandy641]

I am LOVING these! Keep'em comin'!..... with a beating.....

[@piast99]

That freewheel thing is so cute! Its rollers look exactly the same as ones in a coaster brake in my bicycle which I rode as a kid 30 years ago!

[@feralcatbrothers]

23:38: Citgo Petroleum's office at 1293 Eldridge Parkway here in Houston - a 20 minute trip from my house and close to where I work in the "Energy Corridor".....sweet!

[@JustWasted3HoursHere]

I got to give it to you for having the balls to do this. Disassembling a gear box and "not being a mechanic" is not something for the faint-hearted to tackle.

[@AOWarwick]

I feel a bit ashamed when my Trabbi started for the uncounted time again to play up I drove it - as it still drove to the tip and pushed it down into the ditch. So good on you to put so much work into this former East German design to keep it going. I was never happy with what I did to the inviroment. Looking into my rear vision mirror and seeing the blue two stroke smoke lingering mid air as far as I could see back I desided: no more - it has to go.

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Very good video, keep up the good work! One time, I went to a transmission rebuilding shop to ask which oil I should use in a manual transmission, and they said that regular 5w30 engine oil is just fine. Later in the life of that car, when the transmission was leaking quite a lot, I used 10w30 oil, with a bit of Bardahl. With the Bardahl, the transmission shifted so well; I should have use it before.

[@rupertkingsley]

You've successfully turned the Trabant gearbox into a bobblehead

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

This was the best explanation of a transmission rebuild I've seen. Really interesting. Thanks. Great content.

[@infocpctrainer]

Glad to see it was worth the wait. I'm all anticipation waiting for the next video. Goes to show what a lot of common sense can do if you only go for it. Back in 1986 I torn down a 18 ton tuck gearbox with no experience, put it back because I could find a fault, when it turned out to be the rear differential. Only one bolt holding differential together. Ah well you win some you lose some. keep up the good entertaining videos.

[@dougabbott8261]

Wow, a little woodruff key is all that drives fourth gear. Had a lawn mower that used to shear those all the time. Great vid.

[@goracks69]

I haven’t seen any of your vids on my feed in 4 months. Tbh, I totally forgot about this channel in that time. Too bad. This channel is fantastic. Didnt even realize how much I missed it til it came up on my feed again today.

[@oppfattet]

Surprisingly satisfying to watch

[@justgrayyy105]

@ 15:34 who else thought when he said focus he was talking to us 😂😂

[@Dadito1201]

Aahh yeeeees... These parts of YT.. 2am in the morning. I need to be up at 8:30am for work but I am watching how to rebuild Trabant gearbox. Sounds good.

[@therealfan4tix]

The first part you took off (the one called "screw conveyor" in the manual) is used to circulate the oil inside the (partially hollow) intermediate shaft. The intermediate shaft has multiple holes in it that help with lubricating the moving parts on it.

[@ralph17p]

Rebuilding a Trabant, so you don't have to. Seriously though, this is inspiring me to take a wrench to my 1969 2000CS which needs a lot of love. Goals for 2020...

[@christianmccollum1028]

"Ooppp! Yep. They went everywhere." Hilarious video. Made my evening.

[@hawkeye454]

Hands down the most entertaining channel on KZbin. So epic!

[@millenniumtree]

The MG Midget / Austin-Healey Sprite engine also uses a graphite release bearing, and also has an upgraded ball bearing release option. HOWEVER - because, under normal operation, the release bearing does not remain centered on the shaft, it is inadvisable to change to a ball-bearing release. Just don't ride the clutch, and the graphite will last a reasonably long time. :D

[@armand4624]

Awesome video! much love from South Africa !

[@fastinradfordable]

as someone who just got home from being a mechanic, I really enjoyed your video, I wish I had a friend (as cool as you seem to be) nearby, with a garage, who had some projects that needs finishing

[@donrossi1603]

Whow a ton of work...Well Done...Will be looking forward to the next segment..!!!

[@lionhenry766]

this is incredibly entertaining. even as a guy who usually isn't intrested in cars or engines.

[@darkshad26]

I've watched this video a few times and I still get a chuckle out of the cat at the start

[@alexandrupohata9235]

I can't wait for the next episode. That little car is lovely!

[@donmonojam]

Trabbi go! I am impressed by your determination. Greetings from an Ex-Trabant driver.

[@lornaz1975]

I've been waiting 4 months for this! It was the first of your vids I saw. Can't wait for the rest!

[@gorazdnovsak3705]

I think this was the best episode you did. Did not yet see all but I'm working on it...

[@BeomasterDD]

Greetings from Dresden. Very nice job, can't wait to see the engine reassemble Video.

[@davidwilker4795]

The one-way (Free-wheeling) clutch is also known as a sprag, and there is one in almost every electric starter motor. It keeps the starter from being spun up after the engine starts

[@Sebastian-jy7mj]

I've been waiting for this from when you posted the first part!

[@gagatube]

Thanks for a fascinating, amusing and well made video. Very interesting to see what happened when you pried the box open and found all the interestingly shaped metal things inside... FYI A very experienced Land Rover mechanic I follow on YTube (because I try to repair my own LR) sprays all bearings, seals, gears and shafts with ATF during assembly (using a hand pumped spray bottle), on the grounds that it will be some time before the normal lubricant makes its way into everything during use - by which time damage may have already happened. I think he has a good point, although concede it may not apply in the case of the Trabant. Interestingly he uses ATF because that's what he (and others) recommends using as gearbox oil. "Never put gear-oil in a gearbox" they say, again referring to Land Rover gearboxes.

[@DRAINTVofficial]

thats for waking up my addiction to trabants again;. I had to rewatch Trabant Trek just to get my fix till you upload next trabant video

[@justincarawan-carawanco.pu1639]

18:00 Your dad and mine had very different philosophies. My dad always said, "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right!"

[@sakadabara]

Fun fact: Do you know that back in 1997 when Mercedes-Benz introduced "the baby Benz" - Mercedes A classe, a huge problem emerged.The W168 became infamous in 1997 after flipping over during the traditional "elk test" performed by the Swedish automobile publication Teknikens Värld. According to the report, the W168 overturned when manoeuvring to avoid the "elk". The experts said that Trabant was actually much more stable car in rapid turns!

[@peterdelaforce2346]

Brilliant thank you for some great entertainment, and also some knowledge, keep up the great entertainment.

[@boskocrnobrnja6659]

Great video as always, keep it up! Can't wait to see the Trabant in action again

[@erikgranqvist3680]

I think that the SAAB 96 had a freewheel function on every gear. Even in reverse. You could also dissconnect/connect the thing with a small leaver down under the dashboard. Was some 28 years since I fiddled with one, so my memory might be slightly off.

[@cratecruncher6687]

Nice to see you back on the Trabant rebuild! The early E-Types had that same throw out bushing only it was just an iron casting. The design is arguably more reliable but can pull down the idle speed when the clutch is disengaged. You probably have the same issue with the Trabant.

[@kennedy796]

Robert, you do not have to torch bearings or anything to fit. If it is a piece that is completely metal anywhere, set your oven to 250 and bake the bearings until it isnt preheated. Then drop the bearing on and let it cool. This is what i have to do at my work to get final drive bearings to install smoothly and its just a better way.

[@blobby273]

the more you show your just winging it the more I enjoy your work ,

[@isfeldt34]

Very entertaining! Love your vid‘s! Especially this one. I’ve never seen, I say that loosely, because I’m visually impaired and unable to see, but you get the jest, a Trabant up close and personal ever! I only well recently knew what they were thanks to KZbin, I live in Oklahoma, so I don’t know if there are any Trabant owners around this area, but I would love to ride in one one of these days! And see one up close and personal in person! They’re quite fascinating. I’m trying to picture a car with a 27 hp two-stroke! Lol! Keep it up! Thanks again

[@dragancrnogorac3851]

Order oil from Europe for Trabant gearbox. lol!!! just put any greasy liquid in it. Should be fine. Also about that lock pin for 4th gear. It's not part which you should order from 10 000 km away place. Just make one from reasonable quality material. Takes 5 minutes

[@alefra746]

On a Trabant gearbox you can use only the hlp 68 hydraulic oil or similar properties.

[@JamieBainbridge]

Let's all take a second to appreciate the absolutely genius "woodwork tool on a wire" press at 8:38

[@Cristian8767]

God damn Robert, one hell of a show! Can't wait to see the next episode. I started watching this ep on my other youtube account at home and finished it on this accound at work. I am subed on both accounts to your channel and if i would have had 1 mil accounts it would have been the same! Love the channel! Please don't change and please keep the ep. coming! All the best, Cristian