With my fivespeed I had the same problem but that gearbox works a bit
different I think, I always have to put a bit of force on the stick to get
the first gear in, not as much as with reverse but still....
My problem grew worse and I could not get it in reverse or first with the
engine running  :(
In the end it was so bad I had to stop the engine at redlights, put it in
first and restart with the brakepedal down to prevent it from tailgaiting
the car in front :-P
I had an air leak somewhere in the hydraulics ( I changed the clutch
together with the engine some time earlier ) and it got better from just
bleeding at the slave cylinder - yes, I have another slavecylinder waiting
for a rebuild and am going to crawl under and check the pipes - so my
suggestion would be to check the clutch .

Calle

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Shane" <shane_steve@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 1:19 AM
Subject: Bad Pilot Bearing???

> So a few months ago my 87 Westy has been having a difficult time shifting
> into first gear. It shifts fine when the motor is off, and only first gear
> has a problem while driving> I had my shift linkage adjusted, and that
> helped, but it is not perfect.
>
> What are your sagely thoughts on what it might be????
> - Thanks
> Shane
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Check out Election 2004 for up-to-date election news, plus voter tools and
> more! http://special.msn.com/msn/election2004.armx
>