I think I would bleed my clutch hydraulics first. This may be indicating
need for new master and slave cylinders.
PO of my bus spent a small fortune on this problem.  Taken to the cleaners
multiple times by local garage that had no business ever touching a Vanagon,
and then the VW dealer got in on it. It is very sad to look over the
receipts. They finally gave up, I stole the bus, put in new hydraulics and
life was good. Bleed system first, if it improves then you know it is not
pilot bearing, if it does not, then it very well may be.

Good luck,

Jim Henry
84 Westy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]
> On Behalf Of Zoltan
> Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 12:02 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: difficult shifting
>
> It is the same job as to replace a clutch.  The transmission
> has to come out and the clutch removed.  Look in the Bentley
> and see details.  Greasing and felt washer.
> Zoltan
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alan Watts" <alan@DATAX.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 12:23 AM
> Subject: difficult shifting
>
>
> > hi all,
> >
> > over the past few weeks, my 87 GL has gotten harder and harder to
> > shift into 1st and 2nd gear.  When the engine isn't running, I can
> > shift without a problem (it doesn't do me much good though!).  I
> > searched the archives and found that it is probably the
> pilot bearing.
> > Is this correct?  How hard is this to replace?
> >
> > thanks!
> > Alan
> >
>