The Cal-look Lounge

Before I yank this trans, I need a second opinion please. On a swing axle race trans with a spool,  I can grasp the tire..(car on stands) top and bottom and rock it in and out. As if I was checking for play in a linkpin front end. There is a noticeable camber angle change (1/8 inch) and a corresponding knock/knock in the final drive. On one side I can rotate the wheel 90 deg. and the symptoms are less, the other side it doesn't matter.

It looks and sounds like the axles are pivoting at the outer axle bearing and moving (knocking) inside the spool. I still remember stock VW diffs, but I have zero
experience with spools and SAW axles. This trans has about 18 passes since its last teardown and functions as designed, if it makes abnormal noises you wouldn't
know with all that sweet racket going on.

Also the drain plug hole is welded over, so I can't check for crunchy bits.  Your thoughts please  :)

Almost sounds as if there is excessive play in the fulcrum plates or a problem in that area of the spool.
I'd definitely pull it to check the axles and plates ...

Pull it out Phil.  I had the same thing with mine.  The axles were to narrow for the ZF I had and vibrated at speed.  It felt like the whole trans was coming apart.  Dave Rhoads

Thanks guys....Thats what I needed to hear  ;) ;)

Update...pulled out "mystery problem" trans, and dropped it off with Scott @ Mastercraft in Sanger Ca.

Metalcraft ???

My mistake...Scott @ Metalcraft in Sanger, Ca. 559 313 3301  :-[ :-[

Don't be hatin, its going together this week :D :D

I just inspected my trans today, and it looks like decision time. To race or not to race....? 
I've decided for the time being not to race, now please don't get me wrong I still like to haul ass, but I'm not going to do it in a race only car.
So, out with the spool, in with a super diff. Out with what's left of the pro rings, in with the stock syncros. Out with the ERCO gears that are totally FUBAR, in with a close 1 2 3 & stock 4th. We'll keep the German 3.88 R&P, the SAW axles, and replace the black magic clutch disc with something more driver/syncro friendly. 

Hopefully when Scott gets done, I'll have a car that's streetable and still pretty quick.

Thems are some nice looking welds on 3 and 4 :o :o :o

Looks like them shift rings have been cut off and re-attached a time or two.

You guys are in my neck of the "Farm Belt"
<<<
Clovis. Just north of ya.

I think Bryan67 and The Idea Man are close by also, it looks like I'm in good company  :).

Yep. Both Byran and Ideaman (Luke) are close by. I don't see Bryan much, but Luke and I chat periodically.

My ears were ringing so I should say something. Yes, we are all here in the central valley. But it seems like the only time I ever see Mike is at the Madera show in April. We really need to get together sometime. Maybe after it warms up a bit.

Yeah, I need to get out there more often I know. I`ll use the ugly weather as my excuse.

I love a story with a happy ending, turns out I had excessive clearance inside the spool, hence the knock/knock sound. Scott @ Metalcraft reconfigured the trans
into one that's strong yet drivable, and I can't wait to get it back in the car. It was a real pleasure to work with a professional and not an another B S artist. Scott
delivered on time and under the post inspection estimate, to me as a first time customer that's impressive. Turns out that moving to central Calif. wasn't so bad after all.

Just couldn't leave those webs alone, huh?  :D  Thanks for the kind words and the biznuss

I like the kingsburg license plate surround.  Very cool.

Scott is the man. We`ve known each other for maybe 20 years? Has it been that long?

Funny thing is Phill lives about 1 block away from where ideaman used to live, and since about 87'ish I've been amazed about the things Bryian has put out

Sweet lookin' ride from what I can see of it Phil. How about posting some more pictures?

So, with a freshly done spooled and gusseted trans by one of the best, you can't possibly be thinking of taking it to the track are you?

PM sent  :)