I see.
I have been dealing with VW transaxles since the 60's ..
and have never seen one , of the many thousands I've driven or been
around, that would lock up in reverse only ..
though of course that does not mean it's not impossible.

On 5/23/2012 10:17 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> This Vanagon thing is just s side line for me. In my years of industrial
> experience I have seen my share of bearings fail in such a way that they
> would only turn in one direction effectively making a one way clutch. I have
> seen ball, roller, and even taper roller bearing fail this way. Often all it
> takes is some debris or the bearing material failing. I have also seen my
> share of VW transmissions fail this way.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Scott Daniel - Turbovans
> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 6:55 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Brake locks up in reverse
>
> I'll sure go along with that if it's an automatic.
> I've had it happen ..on a very tired automatic that sat for two years...then
> I installed it.
>
> manual trans though ..possible but very unlikely I would think.
>
> are the parts, like the adjuster rod, swapped from side to side by any
> chance ? ..
> not that I especially think that would cause this problem.
>
> scott
>
> On 5/22/2012 3:50 AM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>> Are you sure it is the brakes? A bad ring and pinion in the
>> transmission can cause that nasty effect. If an automatic so can a bad
> sprag clutch.
>> Brakes will feel more like a gradual drag. If it is a sudden snap type
>> hard lock up look into the tranny.
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> Behalf Of HotelWestfalia
>> Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 11:03 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Brake locks up in reverse
>>
>> Hi to all,
>> I have no idea why, but when I put it in reverse it soon locks up.
>> What is it?
>> I took them apart on both sides and all is great other than the drums
>> are 20 thou oversized already and having deep ridges both sides.
>> Anyone has an idea?
>> Thanks God to the Vanagon List,
>> Zoltan
>>