1991 Vanagon not shifting into gear

[solleyj]

Hi everyone i have a 1991 Vanagon. i was recently driving it, i stopped at a stop sign. when i put the car into gear i hear a loud pop, when i tried to drive i could not go anywhere. after that i was not able to put the car into gear. however the clutch feels normal. on closer inspection the right rear Axel/Cv joint has a lot of play. i was going to start with replacing the Axel/Cv joint. i also noticed the clutch feels normal and the shifter feel like it is gong into gear. i would love any suggestions or guidance. i am a newby to the Vanagon world.
Thank you for you help.

[jlrftype7]

If you only broke a CV joint, you'd still be able to put the vehicle into gear- Broken CV would prevent movement ONCE in gear due to broken drivetrain at that point, but, gear engagement should still be possible.
So, with vehicle/engine off, can you put the trans into various gear selections?
"shifter feel like it is gong into gear" Engine running, or off?

Any, welcome to Vanagon ownership. The CVs are held in by either Metric Allen Bolts or Triple Square drive Bolts. Could be a mix of each depending on your luck...
Clean out the crud from whatever bolts you have, before try to tap the Allen, or Tri-drive, driver bit into the bolt head so you don't slip and start stripping the head of the bolt out- very frustrating when that is happening.
CV boot kits, CV joints, are available from VW Vendors like Van Cafe, GOWesty, Bus Depot, Van-again, CIP1, T3 and anyone else I forget- apologies if I missed someone.

Example of the Triple Square Driver Bit:
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Triple-Square-Long...-Driver/FT
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[solleyj]

Thank you for responding, I really appreciate the guidance. I will definitely try to clean up the bolts before I remove them. That would be a pain if I stripped one.
I tested it with the engine running, I was shut into gear (or what felt like it). The shifting and clutch felt normal.

Thank you

[E1]

It’s stuck in gear?

Hoping it’s an exterior issue, you might have someone run through the gears while parked (engine off), get under the van, and see what’s going on where the ball and cup lever setup goes into the gearbox.

It should point straight up in Neutral, and easily rotate fore and aft while changing gears.

It’s possible the ball and/or lever broke, and it’s a cheap and pretty quick fix.

Hoping that’s it…
_________________
If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s

AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

[solleyj]

Thanks for the input. It does not feel stuck in gear, but I’ll check that

Thanks.

[E1]

You’re welcome.

I was responding to “I was shut into gear” so not sure what that meant.
_________________
If ever twice as rich, we’re gettin’ a double-wide
’84 “Westfailure”/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s

AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

[MarkWard]

4 cv joints total. 2 inner 2 outer. Symptom would be you select any gear and no movement. Be careful you don’t get accidentally run over. A broken one should be obvious if you watch while someone else tries to move forward.