What Year Is My Swingaxle?

[Chris E.]

How can I identify the year of my swingaxle ? Markings ? Part # ?  My car is a 64, but I think the transmission is from a 65 or later.

[egspot]

try this:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/b...assisdating.php


match the number on the side of your trany.

[Bruce]

You have to look for the transmission code.  The code is stamped into the case on a flat pad forward of the diff on the right side down low.  If you find the part number on the case on the right side, the code is about 1-1.5\" below the part number.  Crawl under the car and scrape away the gunk, you can only read the code from under the framehorns.

[Chris E.]

You have to look for the transmission code.  The code is stamped into the case on a flat pad forward of the diff on the right side down low.  If you find the part number on the case on the right side, the code is about 1-1.5" below the part number.  Crawl under the car and scrape away the gunk, you can only read the code from under the framehorns.

Here is what I found. AB 03 07 4

Now what?

[Bruce]

Your trans is a late one, made in 74, and has a 4.37 R&P in it.
What this means is that it has all the late design parts in it.  When you buy a clutch, you need to get one for 71 and later.

[Chris E.]

Your trans is a late one, made in 74, and has a 4.37 R&P in it.
What this means is that it has all the late design parts in it.  When you buy a clutch, you need to get one for 71 and later.

My trany has the early throw out bearing, shaft and clips. Although it has a spot for a t/o brg centering sleeve, there is not one present. What is going on here? Did someone f@#k up when putting this thing together?

[Bruce]

Your trans is a late one, made in 74, and has a 4.37 R&P in it.
What this means is that it has all the late design parts in it.  When you buy a clutch, you need to get one for 71 and later.

My trany has the early throw out bearing, shaft and clips. Although it has a spot for a t/o brg centering sleeve, there is not one present. What is going on here? Did someone f@#k up when putting this thing together?

Obviously, some previous mechanic decided to downgrade your trans to the crappy early type TO bearing.  I don't know how this was done.  Your trans should have the late large dia cross shaft.  There does not exist a large dia cross shaft that uses the early TO bearing.  Perhaps early arms were welded onto the large shaft?  
Either way, putting it back to the better late type cross shaft and adding the guide tube is easy.

[Chris E.]

Thanks a lot Bruce, you've been a huge help!!!! I most definitely will put it back to the way it was supposed to be.

[Chris E.]

Obviously, some previous mechanic decided to downgrade your trans to the crappy early type TO bearing.  I don't know how this was done.  Your trans should have the late large dia cross shaft.  There does not exist a large dia cross shaft that uses the early TO bearing.  Perhaps early arms were welded onto the large shaft?  
Either way, putting it back to the better late type cross shaft and adding the guide tube is easy.

I believe you are right. Looks like some smart person welded early arms onto a late shaft. ] That explains all the noise when operating the clutch.