Hello All,

I'm new to the list.  My name is Eric Gougar (pronounced Gowgar - good
German name).  I live at White Sands Missile Range (pronounced wismer)
NM.  I'm having a little problem with my beloved '87 brick and was
wondering if any of you could shed some light...

This is an '87 vanagon gl - 2wd.  I replaced the clutch/pressure
plate/TO bearing in July.  Recently, I have been having trouble with
reverse.  When I shift into reverse and let out the clutch, it shudders
like crazy, and will throw itself back into neutral.  If I let the
clutch out quickly, once it is fully engaged, I have plenty of reverse
gear.  I have no symptoms in any of the forward gears.  I'm puzzled
because I don't think its the tranny, because I have plenty of gear once
it's engaged.  I don't think its the clutch, because it's new, and there
are no problems going forward.  Both my rear engine mounts are OK.

I had someone let the clutch out for me while I looked at the engine to
see if I could see how it was moving.  I suspected a rear mount was
loose, and expected to see one side of the engine coming up.  What I saw
was that the engine was shuddering in a front-to-back motion, not side
to side.

I'm going to put it up on the lift and look at it this weekend.  Any
suggestions as to what I should look for or what the problem might be?

Eric