SOS! '85 stranded in Mexico: Auto Transmission issue

[No Plans and a Van]

Hello all! im down here in Veracruz Mexico driving my 85 back to Califronia. Unfortunately, she didnt want to leave the walmart parking lot. She reverses but but the back left wheel wont go foward. Im not mechanically sound but ive been told it could be the foward clutch pack.

What do you all think? Also, where is the foward clutch pack?

Thank you all! Peace and Love x
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noplansandavan.com

[MarkWard]

The forward clutch pack is in the transmission. Time to R and R the transmission and rebuild it. Somewhere here a member documented rebuilding his automatic on a picnic table at a campground. I'd say though you might want to leave this to professionals since you had to ask where the clutch pack is located. You have the beginnings of a good story. Keep us posted.
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[Wildthings]

I am a bit confused by your post. How do you know that only the one wheel will not turn forward? If that is so then the problem sounds more like a brake issue, or less likely a differential issue than a clutch pack issue.

[Abscate]

Successfully acquired noplansandnovan.com domain

Check to see if a CV joint hasn't gotten loose - this will bring your Van to a stop Easy to fix.
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.ssS!

[elizer]

See if you can find a shop close to you

http://www.roadhaus.com/shops.php

[kourt]

Rule out CV joint failures first. I would not trust an armchair diagnosis of a failed clutch pack.

kourt

[MarkWard]

If the van moves in reverse, that should rule out a broken or detached CV.
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[kourt]

[danfromsyr]

well now you've got some plans..
and possibly going to gain some mechanical knowledge.

http://www.pictame.com/user/noplansandavan/3051127290

https://www.instagram.com/noplansandavan/
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[IdahoDoug]

Agree with need for clarity to help here. OP - would you explain what you are seeing/feeling? The left rear tire not wanting to go forward makes no sense without supporting description and explanation. Thanks!
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[AndyBees]

Assuming the issue is the clutch pack, the 010 tranny is not extremely complex. I've rebuilt three of them and they all worked just fine.

However, you need a place that provides the best possible "clean working" conditions as well as a good manual. I used the Bentley manual as it does have an exploded view of all the pieces parts.

I agree, more info is needed before making drastic decisions.
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'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI. 1989 Tin-top
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine. Seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003.

[No Plans and a Van]

Ok, on the lift the rear wheels would turn in reverse however, in drive, only the rear right wheel would turn, the left would not. More so, theres a significant amount of brake fluid leaking from the wheel that wont spin foward. Thank you all for the help.
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noplansandavan.com

[Abscate]

Start by stripping off the wheels and hubs so we can look at shoes, bearings, and what not.

We have not isolated either transmission or drivetrain/rear axle as the problem area(s) yet.
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[MarkWard]

That is normal. Drive is usually transferred to the right wheel in an open differential. If you hold the right tire, then the left should spin.
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[No Plans and a Van]

I have the wheel off but having a real difficult time pulling the the drum off. Could be parte of the problem and any suggestions of to how to get it off?
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noplansandavan.com

[kourt]

The quick and dirty way to remove a brake drum is to take a 5 lb. sledge and whack the area where the embossed text is cast into the rim:

Also fast forward to 1:30 in this video (I've fixed the link below to do it for you):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbNPX4C03LI&t=90s

He's tapping on the outer side, which also works, but I usually have the best luck with a persuasive whack on the embossed text on the rim. Also, everything Vanagon Nut says below about removing the small retainer bolts and using penetrant or heat is also really helpful.

Also, to repeat what Mark said, your diagnostics (spinning rear wheels while the van is on a lift) have not proven that anything is wrong with the transmission. What you are seeing when you spin the wheels is normal for a Vanagon. Let's focus on the brakes first.

kourt

[Vanagon Nut]

Are the two 11 mm head bolts removed? Can you easily turn the drum by hand?

If brake fluid at that wheel got on the shoes, could that cause the shoe lining to swell and bind up the drum?

Lots of information here on stuck brake drums but usually, rust between the drum and flange is the cause. Heat can help. With the two 11 mm head bolts removed, if you're careful, you might be able to pry up the drum a tiny bit at each hole. Then, add a little penetrating fluid. e.g. PB Blaster, Kroil. i.e. not WD40 Just be careful with using heat when penetrating fluid has been added. You can also add penetrating fluid at drum where it meets the hub.

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[Wildthings]

The hubs take a 46mm or 1-13/16" socket and a long breaker bar. Removing the nut is the easiest way if you can come up with such. If not you need to repeatedly soak the contact between the hub and the drum well with a penetrant and then beat the snot out of drum to break it loose.

For what it is worth, I have removed drums before by using a log as battering ram.

[No Plans and a Van]

Ok got it off. Definately leaking a lot of brake fluid but now not to sure what to look for.

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noplansandavan.com

[Tobias Duncan]

Now try your spin trick again and see if the hub spins freely