To avoid gear clashes on my manual tranny on my 88GL 1) I put in the the Redline
MT 90, and 2) When shifting through neutral, I give a pause in neutral, then
wiggle the shifter left and right in neutral to allow all gears to clear, then I
shift into the desired gear. This process takes only a second or two. Result is
no clashing, minimal resistance  in shifting into next gear.

This all works for me very well.

John Rodgers
88GL Driver

All of Us wrote:

> Mike:
>
> Joe definitely has the right idea. The synthetic is more expensive
> ($7-$10/qt.) however it helps with those hard shifts, especially in cold
> weather. I've used it to good results in my 90 Jetta, my wife's 83 Scirocco,
> and in my 83 2.0L V-gon. Just serviced the trans lube in my 87 GL last
> weekend and changed her over to synth too. Haven't driven her yet because
> I'm still waiting on the new exhaust system.
>
> In your 90 Westy you should have the 091/1 trans that holds 3.1 qts. of
> lube. that's about � cup more than 3 qts. Interesting note on the 091/1
> trans they reduced the gear lube capacity to help reduce shifting effort.
> The proper fill level is actually 9/16" below the fill hole. So measure the
> amount of lube you put in and don't just fill till it dribbles back out the
> fill hole.
>
> Anybody make dip sticks for measuring the 9/16" down from the fill hole?
> (LOL)
>
> Good Luck
> Dan Weber
> 87 GL Weekender - Miss Blue
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Joe Romas <jromas@COLUMBUS.RR.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2000 7:05 PM
> Subject: Re: '90 Westy 2nd gear
>
> > Michael,
> >
> >     You may ask others for suggestions but mine is to drain and frefill
> the
> > transmission with synthetic gear oil. Works wonders on a2 jettas. I'm
> going
> > to change my 84 vanagon's this weekend. I think you'll need 4 quarts.
> > (3.something)
> >
> > Joe
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Michael David Korsak" <mdk166@PSU.EDU>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2000 7:50 PM
> > Subject: '90 Westy 2nd gear
> >
> >
> > > Hey everybody,
> > > With the cold weather we've been having here in central PA, i've noticed
> > > some really hard shifting into 2nd gear on my manual 2.1l westy.  I
> > > notice this trouble only on cold driving, before all the fluids and
> > > components have a chance to warm up.  I have let the van warm up, but
> > > have not noticed that this has improved the problem.  When shifting into
> > > second (cold), the gear grinds, and generally takes some force to get it
> > > into gear properly.  Any ideas?  Thanks in advance.
> > >
> > > Mike Korsak
> > > '90 Westy - unnamed
> > >
> >