Date:         Fri, 10 Jan 1997 13:56:32 +0100
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Philippe Oudot <p_oudot@worldnet.fr>
Subject:      Re: clutch juddering

At 10:55 09/01/1997 -0600, you wrote:
>Vanagonians,
>        Just to add one more thing to worry about, I experienced clutch
>juddering and neglected any solution to the problem. A number of months
>passed by, I don't recall exactly how long, and my pilot bearing fell to
>pieces and locked the main shaft from the tranny into the engine's
>crankshaft. This prevents gear shifts and therefore vehicle motion. I don't
>know if this was a cause and effect cascade of events but it was a
>suspicious coincidence. Perhaps the juddering caused the main shaft to beat
>up the bearing. My two cents worth.
>
>Rick Koller
>'90 syncro Westie 
>***************************************
>Richard Koller
>Email: rkoller@helix.nih.gov
>Phone: 301-496-8414
>***************************************
>

Here you go,

I had exactly the same problem a few months ago. The stick was locked after
one stop at a traffic light. Couldn't move it anymore. I had to stop the
engine, engage the first gear, fire it up again and change the gears with
double clutching especially during downshifting. After a while it was
working normally!!! I don't know why. I haven't fix it yet, but I know the
sooner the better. For now, the pilot bearing seems to be in it's right
"place" but I know it won't get any better as miles go.

Philippe Oudot 
'89 16" Syncro TD Oettinger