VW Axle Install - Shim & Backlash Procedure

[@tims72demon]

Quite different than the mopars & chevys that I own & work on. Interesting. Can’t wait to see the end project running around. Good stuff 👍

[@culturedredneckgarage3784]

Thanks Tim! It’s been fun to put this one together. I think what makes this style of transaxle unique is the amount of homemade alterations that have to be done to build it - it’s like merging a vw transaxle with a winters quick change rear-end.

[@Biokemist-o3k]

New subscriber here my friend. I am starting may channel by building a 1928 Morgan Aero RIP 3 wheeler with 4 wheels making it a Special. It was designed to look like an airplane even with a wood over steel frame and aircraft cloth stretched over the frame. I am mounting an experimental aircraft opposed twin engine on the front and casting a two piece aluminum adapter to mate it o an MGB transmission and through a driveshaft to an MGB rear differential with beautiful MGB wheels. The original has a GN solid axle rear and no brakes or reverse gear. It also waggles so badly out of a turn that it is almost uncontrollable. I am keeping it British with the MGB while updating to juice brakes and a clutch along with 4 gears and a reverse. I am also winding a stator so that I can have lights to make it street legal eventually. Great video my friend. I love that transaxle. it looks tough.

[@culturedredneckgarage3784]

That sounds like a very interesting project! I hope you document some of the build as it would be interesting to see. Thanks for the kind words, and good luck with your build!

[@Biokemist-o3k]

@@culturedredneckgarage3784 Absolutely my friend. I am almost done sourcing the parts. I just received my iPhone tripod thing. I believe I have a go pro or something analogous somewhere. I have to locate all that. I have to build a foundry first to cast some aluminum ingots. then I have to repair one of the MGB transmissions because it was removed from the car because it would not shift. Once that is done then I can melt the aluminum and cast a 5.75 inch diameter cylinder about 10 inches long . I have to chuck it in the lather and make a two part adapter for the opposed twin to mate to the flywheel and clutch in the MGB transmission. I want to get all that on video. this is the car I am making replica of and upgrading..kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWq0fpRtdrp3Y5Y

[@DemopVWgarage]

Make sure you use silicone brake fluid in the clutch unit, mine started leaking after 2 years use with normal dot4.

[@culturedredneckgarage3784]

Good call. I think I may have the dot4 in my other rail...it's a good thing that I will be replumbing it before long then.

[@kellyhumes1217]

When are you going to get back on the Satellite? I miss seeing that. Anyway dig your channel and have a great day!!

[@culturedredneckgarage3784]

Thanks man! It’s funny you should ask that, as my wife and kids and I were walking through a show and shine last night, we all decided it was time to get back to the Plymouth. So I guess I’ll be jumping back on it soon!

[@kellyhumes1217]

@@culturedredneckgarage3784 That’s great news! Looking forward to seeing it!

[@hopecox1244]

Where can someone go to find out about building a live axle?

[@culturedredneckgarage3784]

I really don't know of anyone that currently does them, although I'm sure there are still some folks out there that can and probably still do them. With the exception of one fella, anyone that I'd ever known that ran them in the past (sand drag applications) have long since passed away as well as their knowledge along with it. I had searched online for years and could barely find any info on them at all except a picture or two here and there that helped show me the anatomy of one of these things. As far as the actual axle and spool itself goes, I guess you'd just need a good quality machinist that can cut & weld a 40" or shorter x 2.75" DIA tube and weld it to a VW differential or spool machined for that diameter tube. The side covers would also need to be machined to fit the side seal diameter as well that seals off the axle. The gears are of course tailored to your application and budget. I really wanted a two speed spring shifted set-up for dirt, but they don't make those anymore. You might try KCR VW Transmissions out of Riverside California [phone]. I follow them on facebook, and they are building some of the best quality racing transmissions around these days. I bet they could point you in the right direction. Good Luck! They are fun to do, and one of these days I'll probably spend some money and regear this one to stronger ones.