Date:         Wed, 26 Feb 2003 19:13:35 -0600
Reply-To:     Joachim Beek <vw@BEEKNET.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joachim Beek <vw@BEEKNET.NET>
Subject:      Re: vanagon with ticco engine/vibrations
Content-Type: multipart/mixed; x-avg-checked=avg-ok-70984667;

I'll claim that remark ;-)

I wouldn't say categorically "don't spend the money".  If your shifter is
otherwise fine, then replacing linkage parts or the bushings probably won't
help your Tiico-induced vibrations.  On the other hand, if the shifter is
sloppy, or you have difficulty getting into particular gears, then fixing
that is a good idea anyway and it may ease the vibrations.

There are ways in which shifter vibrations (not necessarily Tiico-induced)
can be transmitted by bad bushings: if the sleeve in the frame cross member
is gone, or if the two little plastic tabs on the front shifter rod which
engage the little 1st/2nd/3rd/4th gear guide (this is in the box covering
the joint with the vertical shift rod) are gone.  Of course, this also
affects "shiftability".  The little tabs can only be replaced by replacing
the front rod; that improved my shifting (as did replacing the sleeve in
the frame) but did nothing for the vibrations.

I was able to minimise the rpm range over which the vibrations came through
the shifter by rotating the shift rods a little.  Unfortunately though,
that got the shifter out of alignment just enough to make shifting a pain.

Another note about the vibrations: they are particularly noticeable in the
shifter, but they manifest themselves in the frame too.  I'd notice it in
the clutch pedal, especially when pushing it in.

Before this gets any longer...those were my experiences with the Tiico buzz
and shifter linkages.  I hope you have better luck with yours.

Now I'm going for a beer.
Joachim

At 09:04 02/26/2003 -0500, Bill Marshall wrote:

>Many folks wrote to me and said:
>"....  I replaced my shift linkage bushings and it did nothing, nada, nil,
>bubkus..."
>
>Hey, I'm glad to hear from so many who have tried this and failed.  Now I
>will not bother spending the money on new parts that won't help.  One
>question for the masses, though....did you guys replace the sleeves in the
>frame that the shift linkage travels through?  Mine seem awfully sloppy.
>
>Bill Marshall
>85 GL Tiico "Pandora's Box"
>Aurora, IL