Great video. My dad taught me a lot about how the swing axles worked when I was a kid. He drag raced them for decades. He always set up his bug to have as level axles as possible on launch so they wouldn't wreck the joint while pulling the front wheels up. Seemed to work well. had 60ft times of 1.5 with an NA 2332. I'm pretty sure he broke an axle once, before he switched to a spool since he broke it when it was still an open diff config. He had to stop using super beetle diffs cause his transaxle builder showed him his stress cracked and blued gears haha. Can't remember if that was before or after he started shredding super beetle main shafts and had to switch with chromoly and finally started using gear ratios outside of the stock lineup you could mix and match into type 1 transaxles. He had a great transaxle builder. Never had a failure outside of pushing parts beyond their limits and budget. Up until his diffs started to show heavy signs of stress and heat, he would put thousands of miles on the street and who knows how many passes on those transaxles without failure some seasons. He stopped putting many street miles on it once he put in the spool since driving around the city with a locked up rear end isn't that great. It was a bracket car so he would enter it into any event it would pass tech and the rules for.

I've never had, nor do I think I'll ever have a swing axle. But after watching this I have a really good idea how they work (better than any book I've read). And I have a better appreciation for them. Nice video.

Hey man, I don't know how many times I've watched your videos over the years but every time I see something new. I haven't seen anything from you for awhile hope your doing ok and having fun. ✌️from Melbourne Australia.

Very good video, you are full of knowledge and experience, I hope your grandson get the most of you... congratulations!!

Thanks for showing this segment of a swing axle. Keep em coming!

I come back and rewatch to help ease my "sometimers" Thanks for these videos!

Having a shop buddy is awesome. Saved parts to the rescue. Looks like a lot if fun is being had.

Thanks so much EZ for all these transmission videos brother... It's awesome that you put these all out there, believe me, the knowledge your sharing truly does help out so many. I've been debating on pulling my Berg 5 speed apart and doing a freshening up and all the good stuff you've shared is helping to build my confidence. Not sure I will with the Berg... lol but I may pick up a used stock transmission and play around with it. Hope all is well up there and the temps are going up, I'm ready for some more of those cruising in the buggy vids!

Really enjoy your videos.

I like the longer videos besides how would you cram all the info you covered in 5 minutes. I just finished installing a rebuilt 1600 and tranny in my mountain buggy took 2 weeks ( I have bus gear reduction boxes on it so took longer). Next week deer hunting with it in Idaho. Yes I broke it in changed the oil and adjusted the tappets.

Great video buddy, Love all the information. Thank goodness you save parts and pieces, 5 gallon buckets with lids are your friend. Funny I contracted sometimmers too recently. Nice time with your grandson buddy. You take care my friend. BigW:-)

Thx EZ, always love ur vids

G'day Kevin here from Australia. Great video. Remember without the fixing and the learning we don't get to see the dunes. Hope to see an indepth video on the gearbox you pulled out.

Thanks pops. Great info.

Best video ever,awesome 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😄😄😄😄😄😄😄

I really like the longer videos. Had a memory pop up short axel crash box , long axel synchro T A. Maybe if brain is working right.

I use a bit of grease to hold the trunnion plates in place then I slide the axle in. Works well ;)

You can buy fulcrum plates from Rancho, or Concept 1 here in Calgary by the dozen.

good information thanks

The best surprise is no surprise, Close inspection pays off big time.

Hey EZGZ! Awesome video. Currently changing axle bearing and seals on my 66 Bug and was curious about that slight movement of the axle. Your info was a great help to find out how it works. I would like to toughen up this transmission a bit a maybe change the final drive gearing. I'm doing 50mph at like 4000rpm or close to it. I am currently putting together a 2110 and will probably need iy to be a bit stronger. Also you gave me some tips a couple years ago on my Kadrons and now my 1700 runs really well!!! Thanks!!

do you suppose a bus trans could work. Youd think it would be a bit tougher and maybe better geared?

looking for the right Beetle Bug to Baja... which years have the IRS and a good front Beam to Baja EZGZ ? Please :D ...THANK YOU!

Very Nice

Hi EZ, thanks once again for your time in making these videos. I am taking apart a sandrail that from what I understand cb performance built this rail to show off their first fuel injection system used with a vw engine utilizing chevy fuel injectors with compu-fire ignition, it's been a learning curve to say the least. Anyways, this particular rail has a transmission that looks exactly like what you have that you refrenced as a close ratio transmission....looks different than the other transmissions I have in my other sandrails. This one was used in a mid engine set up that I just referred to as the rail that cb performance used or built, again not too sure about its history other than what i was told by previous owner??? Now i have a question, the transmission seems to be in good shape, nice and clean, shifts great, no unusual notices etc....did i understand you correctly when you said that it can be used as a swing axle or the other that you talked about and if so, do I get more clearance and what other benefits can I expect with the IRS set up? Thanks ahead for any information EZGZ!!

I was doing transmission work on a 356 Porsche, and let the transaxle hang too much and I believe the fulcrum plates got dislodged, cause it makes a lot of banging noise when making left turns, so hopefully I can set them back in place without having to dismantle the entire rear, just unbolt the big bolt and loosen up everything in order to get to those plates. Any opinion would be appreciated, thanks for an informative video.

Oh, man... I'm test fitting my axles now. The passenger side has a couple of millimeters of in and outer movement like bad one you demonstrate. Is my only solution to find a new axle? Buying one off thesamba is hit or miss.

I'm glad I have a irs in my buggy.

Personally I prefer the longer videos.. More info.. If I wanted entertainment I would go through your play list.. which I do by the way.. Thank's for the video, and looking forward to the next one...

what keeps the transmission oil in? Is it just the boot or is there a seal?

Do you have a video separating the axle tube outer wheel part from the tube?

EZGZ Can you please do a video on resealing a swing axle transmission ? Mine leaks like crazy Thanks for the help!

I had to replace the seals and thought while I was at I might as well change the bearings... I did get it but I had to stop and walk away several times. The snap ring about made me want to grab a sledgehammer... I discovered needle nose pliers worked much better than the snap ring pliers

EZGZ I was watching your all videos and got much info from them. I modified a my Beetle Gear Box with Quaife diff with technician help. It was his first Quife diff and we noticed that Quaife QDF9R for swing axle, doesnt have lock ring to keep axle locked. We were kind of in trouble with assembling but manage to set it out. Later had to open it again coz we didnt insert enough shims in between diff and bearings. So we insert standard shims only and assembled the gear box. But I still feel its kind of not properly done. Other problem was we couldnt foind new pinion shaft bearing which has inner hole bit more space and fit in to gear box case. I belive my gear box is aft 1973 as it has small lever for reverse gear. Not copper color hook. # is AB 19 09 3. Any possiblity you could help me about this. Im going to re open the gear box next january and rebuild it. Be fore that I should collect right parts. I checked many sites but really difficult to decide what I should buy. Specially pinion shaft bearing. help please. My mail is tmangalaslk(at)yahoocom. I live in Finland but my Beetle is in Sri Lanka.

Can a swing axle replace an IRS transaxle? The reason I ask is because I need a temp till I get my IRS Repaired.

I would come and give you a hand but it's too far to go from here at Chambersburg Pennsilvania to you in the time we have left in the USA

Did the Kubelwagens during ww2 have swing axles?

hey their ez i know what you mean with Some timers memeory. thanks for the how to,

i like the irs transaxles better myself!

'you kids with your lowriders'.. ha. i'm almost 50.