Shipping a transmission

[Ray from Indiana]

For those who have shipped a trans for rebuild: What is the best way to package to avoid damage? I'm interested in not over-doing it or under-doing the protection. After seeing videos of delivery guys lobbing TVs over a fence to deliver them I just want be sure I don't get damage from shippers.

I would most likely be shipping UPS if I don't tackle this myself.

[Deleted User 62]

Remove shifter and/or kicker and heavily pad the area where the clutch cable attaches. It's easy to break off that little curved piece the cable goes through and foam peanuts ain't gonna cut it, unless you do a box within a box...

[lrz]

First time I built a crate using 2x2's fit inside a larger cardboard box. Solid.

Then I had a trans mailed to me, smothered in bubble wrap, duct tape and crumpled newspaper inside a quite sturdy cardboard moving box from Home Depot.( I didn't know they sold these)

Arrived safe n' sound.

One of the above cost much less to ship!

[Kurt in S.A.]

From Tom Cutter:

http://rubberchickenracinggarage.com/shipping.html

Kurt in S.A.

[Deleted User 287]

I received one double-boxed. Flawless.

I wish you were nearer, Ray - you could have the boxes.

[Major Softie]

I've always bolted the tranny to a wooden frame and built a thin wood box around that frame. It doesn't really add much weight, and it's the only thing that's pretty fool-proof. It just doesn't take much momentum to defeat any amount of padding except custom molded styrofoam.

I imagine manufacturers probably use custom molded styrofoam pieces now, but before that, they did it the bolt and wood way.

Shippers do (for some reason) charge more for wooden crates, so it ships cheaper if you design it to drop inside a cardboard box.

[Ray from Indiana]

Thanks for the tips guys.

[Duane Ausherman]

Over the years I have shipped dozens of transmissions.

I remove the oil and both levers. Then I double box it and never had a problem. The transmission is tightly packed inside the first box. Then at least 1 inch space between the two boxes with good insulation.

[2valve]

has anyone tried using a plastic 20ltr drum ( the squatty one ) , cut the top off the drum ( remove gearlever / oil etc) and pack the g/box shaft down (with packing etc on the bottom of the drum and around the g/box ) duct tape the lid back on , the drum acts like a capsule to protect the gearbox ( well i really should have said " should protect it " but if your in australia and using australia post handlers good luck , especially in my area !

[Deleted User 62]

I have talked with people who ship VW transmissions for a living. They said the guys who have to handle heavy crates don't like it and will drop them (ever had a bad day at work?) I shipped two large flat rate boxes filled with aluminum stock to 60 lbs each, and watched as the postal worker walked over to the bin and dropped them on top of everything else in that bin from chest height...! Again, the weak spot is that corner where the clutch cable attaches, and the rear cover bosses where the clutch lever attaches. However you pack it, make sure these areas are prevented from coming in contact with the outer surface of any container used... imagine it being dropped 3 feet!