The transmission has to be completely torn down to do this repair. At
that point, do everything necessary. I no longer believe in replacing
everything that can wear but all parts need to be inspected for wear and
possible breaking. Items that fail frequently are the 3-4 slider hub,
4th gear, pinion and main shaft bearings, and the 2nd gear syncro. The
gear carrier housing is also a frequent candidate for replacement. Other
parts are replaced as needed.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Thomas D. Hanlon
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2002 11:06 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: '86 MT grinding when entering 3rd gear

Dennis,

Is it practical to buy just the 3-4 slider gear and install it without
replacing other gears?

Tom Hanlon
Palm Springs, CA
84 Westfalia

Dennis Haynes wrote:

> The infamous 3-4 slider hub is cracked. Trans overhaul time is here.
It
> is possible for the broken pieces to fall out and get caught in other
> gears. Make plans to fix soon.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
Behalf
> Of Andy Mahler
> Sent: Monday, July 29, 2002 2:31 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: '86 MT grinding when entering 3rd gear
>
> hi there
>
> new topic
>
> travelling with my wife and two teenage daughters from west coast to
> east
> in my NEW '86 Wolfsburg, whatta beauty, great trip, have several times
> slept all four!...  now staying at my cousin Andy's in Indiana.  He
has
> three westys...
>
> here's the problem:  two days ago, at around 133 K miles, it started
> grinding shifting into 3rd, both ways.  Have tried double clutching
with
> intermittent success.  Should I  a) ignore it and live with it; b)
have
> someone rebuild my transmission; c) swap the whole deal out for a used
> tranny; d) none of the above?
>
> please advise.  Cash is very tight... but if it will cost less now and
> more
> later i will deal with it.  plus, i love the van and hate to use it
when
> it
> is complaining.
>
> thank you,
>
> mark