TheSamba.com :: View topic - 094 transmission or 091 side shift. Service.

Sun Mar 25, 2018 3:19 pm

I got a transmission off Craigslist it seems to shift through all the gears fine. I am attaching it to a 2.3l turbo Ford motor with adapter plate. Should I get it serviced before just installing it? Any guesses what it would cost for a shop to service it?

Mon Mar 26, 2018 8:40 am

First question, do you have pictures of your transaxle?
It would help in being able to tell what it is.
Were does shift linkage on trans come out? Out the side of the main case?
Or does linkage come out the side of the nosecone?

If shift linkage is out the side of the main case which is a 091/1 trans they have known problems of ring and pinions wearing out and the 3rd/4th gear shift hub cracking.
You may be able to find a local shop or one of the better known ones to look at it first before you install it.
I would recommend having it looked at with the kind of torque you engine will produce.

Mon Mar 26, 2018 9:46 am

Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:52 am

Yes that is a 091/1 side shifter transaxle.
Also known as a 094 4 speed. VW called it a 091/1, but others in the trades like Weddle Engineering, Rancho, and other commonly call it to a 094 to avoid confusion with the earlier Vanagon transaxle that the shifter is out the side of the nosecone.
From the look of it, it never been apart.
First thing I would do is remove the bell housing and inspect the ring & pinion for being worn out and go from there.
Benco, Ricky Wright, Scott (who post on here),Rancho, and many other rebuilders can go through it for you.
They are simpler to rebuild as you don't need a jig to set up the shift forks. You still need special tools to disassemble and reassemble them.

Replacing the 3rd/4th gear hub and installing a mainshaft bearing thrust plate need to be done for with the engine you are using.

Mon Mar 26, 2018 12:14 pm

Thanks so much for the information. So assuming the ring & pinion are not worn out.
Do I have to replace the 3rd and 4th gear with a mainshaft bearing?

What would happen if I didnt?

Is it expensive to get an 094 serviced and 3rd and 4th gear replaced?

Making a spreadsheet of expenses going to take to finish project a rough estimate would be awesome.

Mon Mar 26, 2018 1:08 pm

I not saying you need to replace 3rd and 4th gears.
What I was trying to get across to you is that the synchronizer hub that is between 3rd and 4th gear always crack at the key ways. This is a common problem. There are aftermarket made ones that are stronger.
When and it will, finally breaks, it will lock trans into either 3rd and 4th gear and you are most likely will not be able to get it back out of gear.

I don't work on transaxle anymore for a living, you need to contact a shop that does work on them and ask what cost are.
Are there any shops in your area that work on Volkswagens?
mcmscott is someone that does VW trans work in central California and is always posting and helping people out with questions here on the Samba. You may want to contact him.

Mon Mar 26, 2018 3:44 pm

Here are three links to people that have installed the 091/1 side shifter trans and what they have done.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=665887

Mon Mar 26, 2018 11:50 pm

second link did not work but alot to look through. Thanks.

Tue Mar 27, 2018 2:49 pm

Here is the second link

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

Sun Apr 01, 2018 9:43 pm

so Ive made a few calls and I am trying to find some weddle gears.
I got a few quotes and was said to do a full service and a few things to make it a little stronger it would cost 1100. And he said it is good for about 220hp. He said you want to go higher I would need weddle gears, he could do it for around 4,000. And that would handle up to 300hp, Or I can get the weddle gears and he could install them and freshen up the motor for 1100 Said if he was servicing the transmission it didn't matter to him what gears he put back in same amount of work.. any more he said get a mendola. Does all this seam correct? Although its tempting to do motor upgrades and hit that 350 and 400hp I dont think I actually need that much power. I think I would be happy woth 250 or 300 at the max.

It is tempting to just get the 094 and behave myself and drive appropriately with it.

Mon Apr 02, 2018 8:15 am

The 091/1 and 094 are strong transaxles if used with common sense.

I have used both the 4 and 5 speed in a buggy with a Subaru 2.5L engine (approx 180hp) with out any problems. Both have stock VW gears inside.
The modifications I have done is install a 4 spider gear differential, Weddle's 3rd/4th gear hub, mainshaft bearing thrust plate, and some of the oiling modifications that Gears has shown in the Vanagon section of this website.

When used sanely, the transaxle will last a long time for you.
There has to be a strong connection between your brain and right foot as when and how to apply power.

Ok you shown how much horsepower you have, do you have the torque figures too? Torque is usually what breaks things.

Mon Apr 02, 2018 9:43 am

Can someone shed some light on what this gear ratio would do on my sandrail?
designed for slower speeds?
What would this do on the highway? 64 at 4,000 rpm?

5.14 R&P
2.90 1st
2.25 2nd
1.60 3rd
1.26 4th

Mon Apr 02, 2018 11:44 am

It is geared for at least a 33 to 35in tall tire.

Weddle has a nice gear ratio chart.
https://weddleindustries.com/

CB Performance has one too.

Tue Apr 03, 2018 9:04 am

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2041168

Anyone have any experience with these?