---------------
Hi Neil,
    My 86 with 240k miles had the same symptom and the problem turned out to
be the ring and pinion gears. I bought a R and P set for a good price from
someone who had a broken syncro hub and shattered the case. Bad main and
input shaft bearings tend to make a lower pitched rumble instead of a whine
on the old busses, never had one go bad on a van.
    Transaxle jobs are pretty difficult without a couple special tools, but
it can be done if you are a bit of a gearhead.
Darrell
-----Original Message-----
From: Neil Wigley <wigley@SAN.RR.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Thursday, January 21, 1999 11:25 AM
Subject: Transmission job?

>Hi all,
>
>Rather significant whine from the rear of vehicle, increases in pitch when
>velocity increases, independent of gear. Inaudible at low speeds, quite
>audible at moderate speeds, then the other noises sort of drown it out
>(sort of, not entirely).
>
>It's been suggested that this is a major transmission job (main shaft?),
>and numbers like $1700 for everything (new clutch, blah blah) are being
>bandied about.
>
>Is the proper thing to bite the bullet? Find a used transmission in a junk
>yard? Does one in fact get what one pays for in this regard?
>
>I would appreciate any information before I mortgage my house for my car,
>
>TIA
>
>Neil
>
>Neil Wigley
><wigley@san.rr.com>
>San Diego
>