Hello-

 Mike had a couple of posts that generally stated....

 << I have an 86 Vanagon that has recently developed a
 problem of not wanting to go into first gear.>>

 and

 << I've having a problem shifting my 1987 vanagon into
 first gear. This started about 2-3 weeks ago. At first it
 sometimes did not want to go into first gear. Usually by
 moving the shift lever around you could get it into gear.
 Now it is worse.>>

 From the description of how it started and the fact that
 it continues to get worse, coupled with the vintage of
 the Vanagon, I'd say that the pivot pin for the 1st/2nd
 shift fork is beginning to stretch.  This is a common weak
 point on the earlier 091-1s that VW upgraded the replacement
 parts for.  Eventually this pin will shear and you will not be
 able to engage 1st or 2nd.  There is another weak area in
 regard to the 1st/2nd shift mechanism that I normally bolster
 during my rebuilds.  If this is the case with Mike's transaxle
 the only way that I am aware of of fixing this is to teardown the
 gearbox.  Granted, with a mechanical device anything is
 possible but these two areas would be the first ones that
 I would suspect.

 -Todd Hill
  VolksWerks Transaxles
  Olympia, WA
  360-412-0948