Low gear oil or oil condition can effect gear operation with great inconsistency. Low level can cause the oil to overheat and become a tar like gooey substance. This can make the sliders and stuff stick. If really low than bearing and gear damage come next. This is usually accompanied by noise. If a gear oil adjustment or change doesn’t correct it at some point the box has to come out and be repaired. If a cracked hub starts to shed pieces the damage will just get worse. These transmissions tend to break more than just wear out. If high mileage a good rebuild may also include machine work or replacement of some of the housings.   Single or one side (1-2 or 3-4) issues are common failure modes. 

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Dan N
Sent: Sunday, October 4, 2015 2:16 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: shifting anomaly...

hmmm... I will today...

but if the trans oil level is low then it would affect other gears too...
or only the 1st gear?

thanks