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Date:         Wed, 5 Jun 2002 14:56:34 +1000
Reply-To:     Andrew Jack <andrewxp@AJ.DNSALIAS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Jack <andrewxp@AJ.DNSALIAS.NET>
Subject:      Re: Shifting into 1st gear
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I have the same problem in my '92 Syncro, but after driving awhile, it is impossible to select first. I was almost resigned to a tranny rebuild, but Mark Drillock on [Syncro] (yahoo) offered the following advice:

Trouble selecting first gear only when hot is a common sign of a bad clutch pilot bearing. Don't be talked into big bucks for a tranny rebuild until you make sure that this $5 part is not the real cause. It goes bad and sometimes wears out the input shaft too. These 2 parts can be cheaply had and replaced easily once the tranny is out. The bearing is in the end of the engine crankshaft and the input shaft sticks into it from the tranny.

When the tranny is cold the high viscosity of the tranny oil overcomes the added friction in the bad pilot bearing. After heat makes the tranny oil thinner the bad bearing then spins the input shaft even when the clutch pedal is pressed. This then spins one side of the first gear gearset and makes it hard for it to engage it's mate gear. If this is the real problem you should also have similar trouble engaging reverse when hot.

I referred this to my mechanic, but haven't had time to sort it yet :-(

Andrew

----- Original Message ----- From: "Thompson, Michael" <METhompson@GOLDER.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2002 3:21 AM Subject: Shifting into 1st gear

> Dear all > > I occasionally have problems selecting 1st gear In my 1981 Westy (manual). > The problem seems worse when the engine is warm or has been traveling in top > gear for some time. It is more inconvenient than a problem at the moment. > I usually shift into 1st on a roll before coming to a complete stop - this > works 99% of the time. > Is this something related to the shift linkage/shifter that can be easily > fixed (it feels like you are pushing against something solid, and usually > ends up slipping into 3rd instead of 1st) or is it a synchronization ring > problem showing up. Can I reduce the problem by using synthetic gearbox > oil? I have no other problems with the box (doesn't jump out of gear, > selects easily on the move) > TIA > Michael > 1981 Westy 'Daisy' >


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