Cannot Get My '70 into Gear!

[tunnvar]

Happy New Year!

My bus has been sitting for months due to not being registered or insured. I regularly turn it over in the drive way and let it run some. I have driven it up the country lane I live on a couple of times in the past few weeks just to get it moving and it has done great. However, I wanted to do this the last few days and I just cannot get it into gear. When I push the clutch I can hear a light grinding noise, louder than usual. I can get it into reverse, but having no luck with 1st. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance all.
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1970, Deluxe, 1600cc, Type 1 Dual Port

[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-35638.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Wildthings]

One of the worst things you can do for your engine is to run it a little bit here and there. Either don't start the engine or get it out on the road and get it fully hot is you do start it.

Maybe you transmission ground cable isn't conducting electricity well and some of your starter current has been running through your clutch cable causing it o stretch. The clutch cable could just be fraying from age as well.

[tunnvar]

I did not know that Wildthings, thanks for letting me know. Unfortunately I've not been able to drive it for some time so I just thought running it might keep it alive.

Re the clutch cable...is this a simple replacement?
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1970, Deluxe, 1600cc, Type 1 Dual Port

[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-35638.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Wildthings]

[tunnvar]

Tremendous...thanks!!
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1970, Deluxe, 1600cc, Type 1 Dual Port

[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-35638.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[SGKent]

can you put it into 1st when the engine is off?
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin

[tunnvar]

Yes...it slides in and out of gear easily when not running.
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1970, Deluxe, 1600cc, Type 1 Dual Port

[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-35638.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[60vwnewengland]

sounds like the clutch disc might be stuck on the input shaft splines?

try this:
With the car not running, put it in 4th gear. Put your foot down on the clutch and get your wife, partner, kids, buddy, or whoever to get behind the bus and push it forward (like you're push starting the bus). As they push forward, slowly let out the clutch and tell your helper to keep pushing the bus forward, while it's in fourth gear only for a few feet. If the clutch is stuck on the input shaft, this will get it unstuck.

Now push in the clutch pedal, start the bus, and see if you can get it in first, and see if it goes.



If this doesn't work, you can rule out stuck clutch disc. Then it might be a worn out shift cupler or throw-out bearing.
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77 Westy - Cape Cod Sage
LLAP

[tunnvar]

Excellent idea, I will do this tonight! It is freezing cold right now, so this may be a factor too. Thank you for this advice.
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1970, Deluxe, 1600cc, Type 1 Dual Port

[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-35638.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[SGKent]

[Alan Brase]

You might just try tightening the clutch adjustment up a few turns. Usually when the cable is fraying/ breaking this will help but relief will not last.
If you change the cable you will be tightening this cable anyway. Might as well practice.
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[SGKent]

[tunnvar]

[Zed999]

So the clutch suddenly isn't quite doing it's job?
It's just a hunch, but look under the left side in front of the rear wheel. There is a steel conduit leading to a semi flexible tube on the side of the gearbox. The steel conduit should be fixed to the torsion tube. They can break away.
Also other end of flexible conduit on the gearbox is a bracket. The short bolts attaching it to the gearbox are prone to stripping.
Or some strands of the cable have broken.
Or something that needs engine out which is all the encouragement you should need to take a close look at the clutch cable.

[Wildthings]

Once a clutch cable starts to fray it will keep on getting longer and longer with use. Do remove, check, clean, and/or replace your tranny ground strap as a bad strap will kill your new clutch cable. A very soft feeling pedal is a sign of a fraying cable.

[tunnvar]

Does't look promising:

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1970, Deluxe, 1600cc, Type 1 Dual Port

[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-35638.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[aeromech]

You should be thrilled at finding the cause. Now change the cable and clean the tranny ground strap connections
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[tunnvar]

It looks like 2 cables, or is that just because its frayed and snapped a bit?
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1970, Deluxe, 1600cc, Type 1 Dual Port

[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate2-35638.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Wildthings]

[SGKent]

30 minute fix, awesome.
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“Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin