right about the not using reverse or granny.

when you want to break a rusted clutch disc free from the flywheel/pressure
plate..
crank on the starter in a higher gear.
Where the engine has less leverage on the trans.

does sound like  a part is broken inside the clutch area.
I'd start by pulling the engine only.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Haynes" <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2010 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: Syncro Clutch Cross Shaft problems

> Possibly the hub in the clutch disc. The disc can also be separated
> causing
> the pressure plate to work out and make for a solid clutch pedal.
>
> For the future, never use reverse or the granny low for stuff like or push
> starting or any other type of shock loading or abusive tasks. In these
> gears
> as the clutch engages the van has to move, the tires have to slip or
> something has to break and usual break is low gear carrier housing.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> craig cowan
> Sent: Sunday, November 28, 2010 9:24 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Syncro Clutch Cross Shaft problems
>
> Today I put the battery back in the syncro and as per suggestions tried to
> move it under power to see if that would break free the clutch. With the
> car
> in reverse I started cranking, and it started moving in reverse. I had my
> foot pressed hard on the clutch pedal and still no movement. Then suddenly
> the engine caught and started (wasn't expecting that....) and the pedal
> moved a bit, and the car stopped moving in reverse. The engine did not
> stall.
> Now I can put the car into gear and start it up and run it, but it does
> not
> move under it's own power, and the clutch pedal is still rock solid.
>
> What do you think I broke?
>
> -Craig
>
>
> On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 7:20 PM, craig cowan <phishman068@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> So, I got my new (to me) syncro running today!
>> It hasn't (supposedly) run in twelve years, and I have it now starting up
>> and running quite impressively. So I went to put it into gear to try out
> the
>> drivetrain, and found that the clutch pedal is rock solid! I can bleed it
> at
>> the slave and no bubbles come out (and the pedal then depresses) but the
>> slave cylinder can't move the clutch cross shaft. It is really ceased in
>> place. I have tried spraying it with PB blaster and all manner of pulling
> on
>> it, but to no avail. It is tricky to try to pound on it from above, as
> there
>> are many things in the way.
>>
>> Any suggestions on what to do shy of pulling the transmission?
>>
>> Why I don't want to pull the transmission:
>> I have no idea what condition it is in. I would hate to pull it to fix
>> the
>> cross shaft than put it back in to find it doesn't work for some reason
>> or
>> another, only then to have to pull it again and have it rebuilt. I don't
>> have the money for a rebuild at this time, so I am just trying to assume
> it
>> to be good untill I know otherwise (And hope for positive encouragement,
> as
>> I have no reason to assume anything else. The car was parked because of
>> engine issues (I believe)).
>>
>> Any suggestions?
>>
>> -Craig
>> '85GL turned WESTY
>> BOSTIG in the back
>> '87 SUNROOF Syncro
>>
>>
>>