I ain't the clutch. I had the same think happen to the five-speed in my
diesel about three weeks ago.

Mine is not even opened up yet, but the experts tell me that it's
probably a 4th/5th gear hub (3rd/4th in your case) that gets a crack
and becomes sufficiently misaligned so that the slider arm can't move
the required gear over it, or else the slider arm itself is worn or
bent.

Either way, you need to get it out of the car and send it to a
specialist, or ask one of the other listmembers about a new or used
transmission. Among them you will find a number of possiblities, and
you'll find no group more informed--so much so that if I were you, I'd
ask on the list about the recommendation you get, no matter who gives
it to you or what it is. I say that because I really got some bum
advice from rebuilders and salvage yards out there who don't have any
idea what they're talking about. Information from this list kept me
from making several expensive mistakes.

Jim

On May 16, 2004, at 4:19 PM, alexander may wrote:

> As I was driving home from work last night, I shifted into third and
> nothing
> happened.  It seemed to go into gear but did not catch.  It did catch
> (thankfully) and I was able to gain speed.  I have also been noticing
> some
> bucking when changing gears (usually first to second, but somtimes in
> fourth
> and third) and am worried that I might have to replace the entire
> transmission.
>
> I know this isn't a mechanic list, but does anybody out there have any
> ideas
> as to what the problem could be?
>
> Alex
> 83 westfalia
>
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