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Transaxles

AK-TX-HUB · REV 1.0 · 2026-10Learn · Transaxles

Learn · Transaxle Hub

Classic VW Transaxles

Everything you need before, during and after your Airkewld transaxle goes in — oil, install kits, operating parameters and warranty — for the Type 1 Beetle & Ghia and the Type 2 Split Bus.

Type 1 Beetle & GhiaType 2 Split Bus

Stop — read before the engine starts

Airkewld transaxles ship with NO oil in them.

Fill it before the engine is started in gear or the car is driven — even a short test drive or moving it around the shop. Running a transaxle dry destroys gears and bearings fast.

WE RECOMMEND

85W-140

ROYAL PURPLE

Step 1 · Choose your application

Which transaxle do you have?

Each application has its own guide with the oil procedure, operating parameters, required engine upgrades and warranty terms. Pick yours.

TYPE 1 · AK-TX-002

Beetle & Karmann Ghia

  • Swing Axle and IRS
  • Oil fill & check procedure
  • Install kits with Royal Purple included
  • Warranty matrix & non-stock engine upgrades
Read the guide

TYPE 2 · AK-TX-001

Split Bus · Type 2 Lowering Kit

  • Freeway Flyer Type 1 transaxle with Type 2 nose cone
  • Airkewld Straight Axle kit · OEM 1968 long-spline axles
  • Stock-engine cruiser duty · alignment required
  • Warranty matrix & non-stock engine upgrades
Read the guide

Conditions for proper operation

Before you install

Fill first

Ships DRY — fill with Royal Purple 85W-140 before the first drive.

Stock engine

Designed for stock or cruiser-tuned motors. Bigger motor? See the upgrades.

Quality installer

A trusted shop or an experienced builder. Do not assume anything.

Fresh mounts & seals

New mounts, seals and hardware at install — it’s already out.

Do it once

Transaxle install kits — oil included

The transaxle is out. Now is the time for new mounts, seals and stainless hardware — and both Type 1 kits include the Royal Purple 85W-140 you need to fill it.

SKU 111 000 760

Swing Axle Transaxle Install Kit

  • 4 quarts Royal Purple 85W-140
  • Seal kits · seal races · axle nuts
  • Transaxle mounts, front + rear
  • Nose cone seal · new ground strap
  • Stainless transaxle bolts + fastening hardware
  • Black powder-coated Six Shooter
Shop the kit

SKU 111 000 761

IRS Transaxle Install Kit

  • 3 quarts Royal Purple 85W-140
  • Transaxle mounts, front + rear
  • Nose cone seal · new ground strap
  • Stainless transaxle bolts + fastening hardware
  • Black powder-coated Six Shooter
Shop the kit

Oil · fill & check

How to fill it

  1. 01.Use the right oil. Airkewld recommends Royal Purple 85W-140 gear oil.
  2. 02.Car level. Fill with the car sitting level — on the ground, or with all four corners on stands at the same height. A tilted car gives a false level.
  3. 03.Drain plug tight first. Confirm the drain plug is in and tight before you start filling.
  4. 04.Fill through the fill plug on the side of the case until oil just begins to run back out of the fill hole. That is full.
  5. 05.Reinstall and tighten the fill plug.
  6. 06.After the first drive, recheck the level and look for leaks at the axle seals / boots, nose cone and plugs. Top off as needed.

PRO TIP

Oil is the cheapest insurance in the drivetrain. A transaxle that was run dry looks perfect on the outside — until it starts howling. Fill it on the bench or the minute it’s in, before anyone is tempted to “just move it.”

Related

Installing rear disc brakes at the same time? Check the oil level when you’re done. Rear disc kits and install guides live in the Brakes hub.

Keep going

Related transaxle content

Drive-Train Package · Type 1

Beam, brakes, steering and transaxle engineered as one system for the Beetle & Ghia.

Go →

Drive-Train Package · Type 2

The complete Split Bus drive-train, built as one system.

Go →

Type 2 Lowering Kit

Complete lowering drop kit for the 1955–1975 Split Bus.

Go →

AK-CL-001

Six Shooter Clutch Adjuster

Included in both install kits — set it up right the first time.

Go →

Brakes Hub

Rear disc kits and brake install guides.

Go →

FAQ

Transaxle questions

Does my Airkewld transaxle come with oil in it?
No. Every Airkewld transaxle ships dry. Fill it before the engine is started in gear or the car is moved under its own power.
What oil do you recommend?
Royal Purple 85W-140 gear oil. The Swing Axle Install Kit includes 4 quarts and the IRS Install Kit includes 3 quarts.
How do I know it’s full?
With the car level, fill through the fill plug on the side of the case until oil just starts to run back out of the hole. Reinstall the plug, then recheck after the first drive.
Is my transaxle covered if I run a built engine?
The 1-year warranty applies to stock-motor applications. A non-stock motor is the disqualifier unless the transaxle was built with the upgrades that motor needs — ask the PROs before you order and we’ll spec it.
Another shop says my transaxle is the problem. What do I do?
Document everything with photos before anything is paid for, then text 1-623-518-3537 or email help@airkewld.com. If the build is verified at fault on a stock-motor application, ship it to us and we fix it on our dime and ship it back free.
Can I pay over time?
Yes — see Payment Plans.

Text · Email · Photos · Call

Document your issue

Document the problem area with photos BEFORE shipping or paying another vendor. 30+ years building these transaxles — we will work through it with you.

TEXT  1-623-518-3537
EMAIL  help@airkewld.com

30+

YEARS

TRANSAXLE EXPERIENCE

Process — Not Parts — Determines Performance.

AK-TX-HUB · REV 1.0 · 2026-10 · airkewld.com · help@airkewld.com · 1-623-518-3537

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