First and reverse gear problems

[sarahandthebear]

Hello all hope your well, we have developed a problem with our 5 speed 1984 westfalia. We have always had a problem of jumping out of reverse on the odd occasion or kangaroo hopping whilst reversing. It only really occurs after the gearbox has warmed up after a long journey. Anyway today I got home and went to put her in reverse when I herd a clunk. It happened as I moved the gear stick to the left to engage first and reverse. I did not need to push the gearstick down to here the clunk I just had to move the gearstick left. When parked I got my wife to select first and I had a look under the van at the gear linkages. As she pushed to the left there was a loud clunk and the linkage dropped down toward the back near the gearbox? Is something loose or worn on the linkages maybe.

[Aidan]

Sounds like a linkage issue, probably lost one of the bolts or lugs that hold the rear bush plate on so the cup and ball have become disconnected
take a picture of the cup and ball and the rear bush mount plate on the side of the gearbox