Date:         Tue, 30 Aug 2005 14:31:31 -0700
Reply-To:     rpc <populuxe59@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         rpc <populuxe59@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Transmission, manual crunch / grind cause?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hope you folks who have had experience with the vanagon transmission may be able to point me in the right direction.
My original trans (1990)got a wobbly shaft last year, I bought a replacement from owner of a crashed 85 that was said to have been rebuilt 5 years/ 20,000 miles ago by "German transaxel" in OR(filled and refilled with synth oil). I have no reason to believe or disbelieve this.

 I put about 10K on it. I now have a "crunch" up-shifting to 3rd and a "grind" down-shifting to 2nd. If I am going slowly, or double clutching;no noises. Otherwise it works good--but sometimes IS harder to get into first than it should be. Problem seems nonexistent when started up cold(?).

Most mechanics where I am treat the trans as a "component" and don't want to get involved in the internal workings. there Is one Trans Shop nearby that specializes in manuals, I could bring it there for opinion or adjustment.
Is there anything I can check? Or is this symptom a sign of bigger troubles?

Thanks for reading the details of my problem, BTW; this problem is really the only "big" one we have had with the Vanagon in 3+ years/ 50K miles!! Of course I am periodically doing the normal vanagon type maint that would be required by any other car this vintage...
Chris C/ 90 MV