Swing Axle End Gear, 11 Tooth,Sold Each

OVERVIEW

When you are tearing into a classic Volkswagen swing axle transaxle, the integrity of your differential assembly is paramount to ensuring your power actually makes it to the pavement or the sand. This Latest Rage 11-tooth swing axle end gear is a high-strength replacement component designed to restore factory-smooth operation or reinforce a performance-built "Super Diff." In the world of air-cooled VWs, the differential takes a massive amount of abuse, especially in off-road applications like sand rails and dune buggies where sudden traction changes can snap inferior components. This end gear is precision-machined to exacting tolerances, ensuring that the mesh between your spider gears and the axle remains consistent, reducing heat buildup and preventing the catastrophic failure that occurs when teeth begin to pit or chip under heavy torque loads.

Whether you are performing a standard refresh on a street-bound 1960s Beetle or assembling a high-performance transaxle for a weekend warrior, you cannot afford to overlook the condition of your end gears. These 11-tooth gears are the interface between your differential and the axles themselves, acting as the final point of transfer within the gearbox housing. Over decades of use, original German gears can develop micro-fractures or excessive wear on the thrust surfaces, leading to increased "slop" in the drivetrain and eventual gear whine. By choosing this Latest Rage replacement, you are investing in a component that meets or exceeds original equipment specifications, providing the reliability you need to keep your air-cooled investment on the road and out of the shop. Don''t risk a total transaxle teardown later by reusing questionable internal gears today.

FITMENT

This 11-tooth end gear is designed for Volkswagen swing axle transaxles. Please verify your tooth count before ordering, as some early models or specific aftermarket kits may utilize 10-tooth configurations. Fits the following models equipped with a swing axle:

• VW Beetle (Type 1): 1946 through 1968 (Swing axle models only).
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956 through 1968.
• VW Type 3 (Fastback, Squareback, Notchback): 1961 through 1968.
• VW Bus / Transporter (Type 2): 1950 through 1967 (Models with reduction boxes).
• Dune Buggies & Sand Rails: All custom builds utilizing a VW swing axle transaxle core.
• Super Diffs: Compatible with most aftermarket 4-spider "Super Diff" housings requiring 11-tooth gears.

SPECS

The technical specifications of this end gear ensure a perfect drop-in fit for your vintage Volkswagen drivetrain:

• Tooth Count: 11-Tooth precision-cut profile.
• Material: High-carbon hardened steel for maximum fatigue resistance.
• Application: Swing Axle Transaxles (Internal Differential).
• Compatibility: Works with standard 2-spider or high-performance 4-spider "Super Diffs."
• Finish: Machined and heat-treated for durability.
• Brand: Latest Rage.
• Sold As: Individually (Two are required per differential).
• Part Number: AC301150-11.

PRO TIPS

1. Always Match Your Tooth Counts

It is absolutely critical that you verify the tooth count of your existing spider gears and the opposing end gear before installation. Volkswagen utilized both 10-tooth and 11-tooth variations depending on the year and the specific transaxle code. Mixing an 11-tooth end gear with 10-tooth spider gears will cause immediate mechanical binding and will likely shatter the differential housing the moment you attempt to move the vehicle. If you are upgrading to a "Super Diff," ensure the entire kit is synchronized to the 11-tooth standard for the best strength-to-weight ratio available in swing axle configurations.

2. Inspect the Thrust Surfaces and Axle Splines

When you have the transaxle apart to replace an end gear, don''t just swap the part and close it up. Take a close look at the end of your axle splines and the thrust washers behind the gear. If the axle splines show "twisting" or mushrooming, the new gear will not seat properly and may cause premature wear. Additionally, always use new hardened thrust washers and plenty of high-quality assembly lube during the build. This ensures that during the initial startup and "break-in" period, the gear has adequate lubrication before the gear oil fully circulates through the differential housing.

3. Check Your Backlash and Side Play

Proper shimming is the secret to a long-lasting VW transaxle. When installing these new end gears into your differential, you must check the side play of the axles. If there is too much "slop," the gears will "shock load" every time you let off or step on the gas, which leads to broken teeth. If the fitment is too tight, the gears will overheat and gall. Use a dial indicator to ensure your tolerances are within the factory service manual specs. Taking the extra thirty minutes to shim the differential correctly will be the difference between a gearbox that lasts twenty years and one that fails in twenty miles.