74 bus won't come out of 2nd

[mark836]

the subject says it all..... manual shift..... clutch will engage..... but the tranny won't come out of 2nd.... any thoughts? suggesstions? i am new to the vw thing.... first bus ya!

[Straz85]

Not many aircooled people here...

[trev0rbr]

little miss sunshine

[stevethefolkie]

Does it go into 1,3,4 and reverse? If so you could have a knackered gearbox - although I can't recall ever losing 2nd in a 'dub.

First thing I'd do would be to remove the shifter (2 bolts - pretty simple) and have a critical look at it - is the part that interfaces with the linkage in good shape? Then I'd jack up the back of the bus, put her on jackstands and check the motor mounts - if they're knackered your engine / gear box can move enough that you can't engage gears - cast an especially critical eye at the mount by the transmission nosecone (should be between the tranny and the mount underneath it) - if that's OK then I'd look at the linkages themselves - probably lube where needed.