It sounds like you need a new clutch.  However, I have always needed to
shift into 1st before going to reverse even with a new clutch in order to
keep from grinding reverse gear.  On another occasion I had a problem where
I was grinding the gears no matter how much I pushed in the clutch.
Surprisingly it was the bolts that hold the transmission to the engine.
They had worked themselves loose (I am suspicious because I had the van at a
shop, not my usual shop) in some way and so the clutch actuator had to
travel farther and just could not make it.  My regular mechanic found the
problem, tightened the bolts and problem gone.
Cheers
Jaime
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Rountree" <syncro87@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 9:24 AM
Subject: Re: 91 Hard shifting sometimes girding

> original>>
> From:    Kevin Plichta <plichtakevin@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Subject: 91 Hard shifting sometimes girding
>
> >>Hard shifting sometimes girding when shifting in reverse..... snip....
> .... The clutch needs to be near the floor before it engages.
>
>
> Sorry Kevin but ya need a clutch.... think about everything else you may
> need now while ya have the engine out.... ya might want to use that wish
> list section on the bus depot site.... to just get a feel of how much all
> the parts will cost. Do everything the engine needs NOW and you'll save on
> total labor cost down the road.
>