Date:         Thu, 5 Jun 2003 21:20:23 -0500
Reply-To:     VWNut Hawk <vwnut@HAWKCOMPUTING.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         VWNut Hawk <vwnut@HAWKCOMPUTING.COM>
Subject:      Re: urgent "shifting problem" - need advice
Comments: To: mostd@JUNO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

So the clutch seems to work and you can put it in 3rd gear?
It's just 1st and 2nd that you can't put it into?
Does it grind when you try to put it in 1st or 2nd or does is it quite
and just won't go into gear?

>>> David Most <mostd@JUNO.COM> 6/5/2003 9:06:29 PM >>>
My '87 is having a gear shifting problem, and as it's my only vehicle,
I
could use some help.  I'll describe the situation briefly, but please
ask
me any questions that might help in determining how to proceed.

Here's the problem:
I'm having difficulty shifting into gear, particularly into 1st or
2nd.
Sometimes the problem is beyond difficult in that I can't shift out of
neutral at all.  TODAY is the first day that I've had such trouble, but
I
think the problem may be serious as I wasn't sure if I'd make it home.
While parked with the engine off, the shifter just doesn't feel smooth
or
easy.  At the last red traffic light before arriving home, I had to
put
it in 3rd to get going.  It just wouldn't go into any other gear.  I'm
afraid to go anywhere at this point.

Related matters:
The clutch was replaced about 14k ago, but for the last few months,
I've
heard a slight gurgling noise with the clutch pedal depressed while
not
moving.  The suspicion has been one a bad bearing associated with the
clutch.  The operation of the clutch and transmission have been fine
otherwise.  The vanagon was sitting for the last two weeks without any
use.

Question:

What steps can I take to diagnose and/or possibly correct the problem
(even without diagnosis)?  I'm in New Orleans right now, and I have
yet
to find a mechanic here who knows anything about vanagons.  So, I'd
like
to do as much as I can myself.

Thank you all for your help.

David

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