From an internal tranny problem point of view...
I have seen some pinion bearing go bad such that the pinion shaft moves
enough to hit the gear carrier of the differential. The pinion hits and gets
lodged in the carrier and literally stops the van short till you move
forward again. It basically get stuck till the pressure of moving forward
pushes it back to its "normal" position..
Only seems to happed when in revverse and then only when you push in the
clutch pedal to stop..It stops for you...suddenly...

Daryl of AA Transaxle
(425) 788-4070
aatransaxle.com
86 Syncro Westy
Zetec in the trunk
----- Original Message -----
From: "Evans Waldron" <ewald51476@CHARTER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2009 5:28 PM
Subject: Reverse Gear Problem - 4 speed manual

> Hello All,
> Got back last week from a 2250 mile trip in my 1983 water cooled Westy and
> when I was backing into my driveway and after about 6 feet- Bang! - was
> like I hit a wall or something.  Got out - no wall. Tried again and same
> thing.  Got a suggestion to check the rear breaks.  Was unable to get a
> drum off so went to my local foreign car (not VW) mechanic who found
> leaking rear cylinders and hung up parking break.   Fixed break parts and
> as he was backing out - bang! same problem.
> Do transmissions fail like that?
> Only happens with clutch engaged and in reverse.
> Any else I should look at?
> --
> Evans