Date:         Sat, 1 Sep 2001 05:49:31 EDT
Reply-To:     Sackscot@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Sackin <Sackscot@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Broken 84 Tranny Shift Linkage - Stuck in NC!
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

I was on my way from Fredericksburg, VA to Morehead City, NC to spend the 
week at the beach in NC.  We were going to pull off and camp (catch a nap) in 
Rocky Mount, NC tonight.  My girlfriend was driving because I was 
zonked...2am.   She has only driven the Westy once before...so she is not 
real adept with the shifter.  Well she passed the road we wanted to turn on, 
so she had to put it in reverse.  I helped her.  After we backed up she 
couldn't find first...so I tried to help her as she yanked the gear shift 
around.  She doesn't like being helped.....

Well long story short - the shifter linkage came out of the ball socket at 
the transmission.  Now I'm stuck at the holiday inn in Rocky Mount, NC.

My questions are:  

1) Are there any pins or mechanical parts that might have sheared and need 
replacing to put the ball socket linkage (at the transmission) back together, 
or is it purely a mechanical connection.

2) Do you have any tips for putting it back together?  I tried, but I 
couldn't get it to match up and was afraid I might do more damage than good. 
 Also, it was very tight being at ground level.

3) Lastly do you know anyone in the area that could help?  Rocky Mount is 
about 1.5hrs South East of Durham.  (Exit 141 on I-95)  I remember a guy that 
is very active  on the list that is Durham, but I haven't been active myself 
for a couple years, so I don't have his number or email. 

Thanks again,
Scott Sackin
84 Westy 
Stuck somewhere in NC...not the beach....

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