Warren...Try Redline MT-90 before you do anything else..
The early Rabbits had cold 2nd issues and this cured a bunch of them.
Vanagons are usually more forgiving, but if the syncro teeth or slider teeth
are rounded instead of pointed, they can grind...
I use Laso brand syncros for a reason...Have redone a few recent rebuilds
from other places and found no problems other than the brand of syncro used
was inferior.
Daryl of AA Transaxle
Duvall, WA. (Seattle area)
1-877-377-0773 toll free
425-788-4070
aatransaxle.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Warren Lail" <wlail@OU.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 10:34 PM
Subject: new tranny growls

>I just installed my newly rebuilt tranny in Billy Bones but it growls going
>into second.  Sounds like a bad synchronizer, but the man who built the
>transmission is a reputable builder and he said the synchronizers are new.
>It mostly growls when the vehicl is cold.
>
> The builder asked me to bleed the slave cylinder and check my linkage, and
> to be truthful it seems like the clutch is not fully disengaging,
> possibly.   If everything is okay with the linkage and clutch slave, then
> I may have to pull the tranny and let him open it up.  This is something I
> do not want to do again.  So I plan to give lots of attention to the slave
> cylinder and linkage adjustment.
>
> Any tips?
>
> Warren Lail
> 88 Westy "Billy Bones"
>