Date:         Thu, 4 Apr 1996 19:45:01 -0800
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         dshepher@orednet.org (David J. Shepherdson)
Subject:      84 vanagon sticking in 3rd



My 84 Westy got stuck in 3rd twice a couple of weeks ago.  First time
I got it unstuck by hitting the selector with a wrench and the second time
it shifted when I tried crawling very slowly in 3rd.  It has been fine for
the last two weeks although its been a little notchy in 3rd ever since
I bought it 10,000 miles ago (mileage app. 150,000).  I have talked to 
some experts and they say that the 3rd & 4th Gear bearing are going and
that it will soon stick permanently in 3rd.  I cannot find a used tranny but
I have found a tranny shop that will fix it (replace all major bearings) for
about $900 including labour (200 less if I take it out myself).  My questions
are:
1. Anyone else had this problem? what happened?
2. How difficult is it to take out the trans?
3. Does this seem like a reasonable price?
4. How much and where can I get a rebuilt trans?
Any info appreciated

--
David Shepherdson Ph.D.
dshepher@ednet1.osl.or.gov
Portland, 
OR