I'll put my bet on your clutch throwout bearing being worn out -
unfortunately you must separate engine and transmission to change that....
the part itself is not expensive, but if you are going that far, you might
want to check and maybe replace clutch while it's right in front of you...
Chris

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of Fitzgerald, Kevin
> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 4:24 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: 1st gear shifting problem
>
>
> Hello All -
>
> I am having similar problems, however, when I engage the clutch there is a
> nasty grinding noise coming from the rear of the Van. It is happening
> everytime I depress the clutch at this point. It occurs even when not in
> gear, but with the clutch engaged.  After shifting into first(which is
> difficult) and hittin' the gas, the grinding noise becomes louder, hits a
> climax and stops once in motion. When decelerating and engaging the clutch
> the grinding commences, is bad when in gear, better though still grinding
> when in neutral, and gets worse as the van decreases in speed. It
> is at its
> nastiest when stopped w/ clutch engaged. Ditto when in reverse.
> When clutch
> not engaged, no problemo. Other than that she's driving strong.
> The linkage
> was adjusted this weekend as that was thought to be the problem. Any
> thoughts or is it just time for a new transmission?
>
> Kevin Fitzgerald
> 89 Wolfsburg Weekender (Blue Cheese)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Barry Armitage [mailto:MAX7959@AOL.COM]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 4:36 PM
> To: Vanagon Mailing List
> Cc: Fitzgerald, Kevin
> Subject: 1st gear shifting problem
>
>
>
> I have an '89 Sycro and am having problems shifting into first gear.  All
> the
> other gears are fine (I am using the low 1st gear to get rolling).  I
> thought
> I remembered seeing this problem addressed previously on the list, but I
> couldn't find it in the archives. I believe it was solved by adjusting
> (rotating?) some part of the linkage.  Does anyone have the
> details on this
> procedure?
>
> Barry Armitage
>