I live in northeast Florida and you can do what I did.....

Get someone local to drop the tranny, pack it up and send it to Daryl in Washington state.

Then you will know that it will be overhauled properly.

Cheers, Anthony
'89 Syncro GL (Hidalgo)

________________________________
 From: Paul Smith <paulwithwesty@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2012 8:59 PM
Subject: Repair Shops in Georgia/SC - Transmission: No shifting into 3rd              or 4th

I have a 1989 Vanagon (Westy) GL, 4 speed manual transmission. Recently
while driving, leaving a stop light going to shift from 2nd to 3rd the
transmission would not go into 3rd gear, or 4th. I got my wife to move the
shift as I was underneath peering up at the working of the linkage. When
the shift lever is pushed over towards the right (passenger side) to shift
into 3rd/4th the shaft back at the transmission moves out but it will not
rotate. I notice for 1st/2nd it moves in and then rotates
clockwise/counter-clockwise depending on the gear selected. Reverse still
works also, although it seems a bit stiff. To my untrained eye the shift
linkage appears to be working correctly. I do routinely crawl underneath
and grease the shift linkage at the front, the bearings, and the rear
fittings - everything looks about as I recall, but I wasn't looking at a
problem when applying the grease.
I think the problem may be internal and that's where I run into a problem.
I do not have a place, the tools, or the time to drop and repair a
transmission (I managed a water pump replacement, and the usual regular
maintenance). I live in Beaufort, SC and the two repair shops near me that
are listed at The RoadHaus have both recently closed (one in Charleston,
one in Hilton Head). The nearest now looks to be Wolfsburg Tech in Macon,
GA.
Two questions:
Any thoughts on what more to look at external to the transmission?
Any recommendations on repair shops and/or mechanics in the area (basically
Savannah to Charleston or points inland)?
Thanks to all for any information.

Cheers - Paul Smith
**