a 2WD vanagon trans is not that hard to take out.
You need at least a smooth hard level surface, jack stands, and a floor
jack. Two floor jacks makes it super smooth, as transmission-removal jobs
go.

at a shop ........I've seen shops charge up to 900 bucks for a vanagon
clutch job.  Kinda depends on if they're a high-dollar fancy shop, or trying
to be ......or if they're trying to deliver a lot of value and quality.  But
up to that much ......which is pretty 'high retail' pricing of course.

the right way to proceed, is ...disassemble.......inspect carefully
everywhere .......then procure quality, usually german made parts, all that
are needed.......
and put it back together carefully.
  the trans input shaft oil seal is pretty straightforward.
In the case of really good leaks though ..........I'm always concerned that
it's 'more than just a seal' .
Sure, sometimes it is just a seal, or seals, and sometimes it's more than
that.
Waterboxers ( if that's what you have ) often need new pilot bearings, and
sometimes the felt dust seal is missing, and sometimes a small retainer ring
for that dust seal is missing. I see that on about half of the clutches I
do.  That small ring is a part you can't get, not new anyway.
have fun, whatever you do !
Scott
www.turbovans.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Jansen" <norgecastle@TX.RR.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2009 8:35 AM
Subject: Tranny leak??

   My 89 westy is leaking a lot of gear oil thru the rear / engine side.  I
put in 2 qts last month and I would think it down a quart now after 500
miles.  Yes that much.  Not driving it much till I can get this fixed.
Anyone had experience with removal and fixing?  Should I do it myself or the
shop?  I have pulled many air cooled engines but stayed away from trannys as
they worked.   Can the seal be pulled with a screwdriver prying out?  What
else should be replaced while apart.?  Clutch disk?  engine seals.?  The
engine was rebuilt 5 years ago and 25k miles.  Anyone with a brief walk
thru?    /   Jack up rear /  support engine front / undo shifter,
bellhousing, nose, pull shafts /
replace main seal on tranny / replace soaked clutch disk / replace throw out
bearing? / any engine seals while I have access to the face?/  /that is
about all I can think of.  Any thing missed?  I am leaning towards a shop
doing it anyone have this done in the past and the cost?
Thanks for listening.
Tom Jansen
Coppell , Tx.