ZF Transaxle Corrosion?

My first P-car sat for a couple years and had corrosion on the gears. My current car sat for 20 years and was fine when dissasembled.

So you have a 50/50 chance LOL...

Let me tell you the first car operated and shifted fine. I had the trans apart for polishing only, when the rust pitting was found. I believe if the trans was never taken apart it would still be operating fine today. But I had the pitted parts replaced to be safe.

I would be more concerned with making sure the ring gear bolts are safety wired if you buy the car. And if the owner doesn't know it probably has not been done.

Mark, you're probably right the ring gear safety wiring is more important. My concern is that the gears will need replacing and I get to spend a $3K to???? who knows how much to do tranny work after I purchase the car. I've been told to buy a car that costs more initially but has been gone through by someone else, especially when the ZF is concerned because they are so expensive to fix.

You said your rusted gears weren't that bad? Did you every have to repair? Did the gears whine while driving?

I didn't think they were that bad. If it was a ford 9" I would of stuck them in to see how long they would last before buying another ring & pinion. However I know Lloyd at RBT would not have put them back in a ZF that way. I ended up buying a good used ring & pinion for around $1500.00 but that was 5 years ago.

I agree with the spend a little more when you buy to save a lot in the future.

No whine before or after the rebuild that I can recall