On Tue, 3 Jun 2003, Jeremy Speer wrote:

> "Your transmission is probably near death! The synchronizers are shot."
>
> "What? Well, it's an aging rebuild, but it shifts fine... just needs a
> second or two when going into reverse."
>
> "no no, that's a sure sign... you should look into a rebuild."

He's pulling your chain.  Veedub trannies have no reverse synchronizer.  A
grind is normal if the tranny's internals haven't had time to come to a
stop.  (It can be avoided by shifting into a forward gear before going
into reverse, FWIW.)

However, if you still grind into reverse after sitting with the clutch in
for 15 seconds or so, your clutch may not be disengaging fully.  Try
pushing in the clutch, revving the engine up to a couple thousand RPM, and
shifting repeatedly between 1st and Reverse.  If the shift is rough, you
should find out why the clutch is dragging.

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si