I think you have two problems. First, the clutch is not fully releasing.
Second, the 3-4 slider hub, 4th gear assembly, main shaft bearing has
failed. Tranny and clutch time.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Jim Felder
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2004 10:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Guidance wanted on 5 speed transmission problem

This weekend, my wife and I took off for the weekend in our 83 diesel
Westy with 5-speed transmission. Near our destination, 4th gear "quit"
on me in that I was no longer able to shift into fourth while the car
is moving. If I attempt fourth gear, I get an extreme grinding noise.
If I'm stopped I can slip into fourth, but it seems to want to pop out.
In any event, I can't take off from fourth so it's a moot issue.

At the same time, I seem to be experiencing symptoms that the throwout
bearing is gone, coincident with the gear troubles.

The car made it there, around there and back from there using all the
gears but fourth.

Can anyone tell me what to expect regarding this?

Thanks,

Jim