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Date:         Thu, 08 Jun 1995 20:22:31 +0600
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         anon869@vt.edu (Christopher Bridge)
Subject:      Hard Shifting..sometimes

> Since acquiring her, Ramona has always displayed hard shifting from time >to time. Sometimes, she's smooth, and sometimes I can't even downshift from >3rd to 2nd. She just won't go. I've had the trans gear oil >checked/drained/replaced, but that didn't make a difference. My question is >this: when I have the engine out and her guts exposed, how do I check on this >problem? What do I look for? Is it something that I can check before removing >the engine? Any ideas or similar fiascos? Y'know, she doesn't pop out of gear >ever, but this thing with the tuff shifting is getting me all worried. >HELP!!!!!!!sos!!!!!!! >Again, thanks. Rach > Yep, sounds just like what I have with my 71. I think that the problem is with the guide bushing on the shifter. I replaced mine, expecting the shifting to improve, but to no avail. I was expecting the slop to be gone too, but again... NOT. The only thing that you can do is to adjust the shifter's guide plate, which will hopefully make some difference. The idea is to push the plate over to the right so that you can't pull the shifter toward you (ie. left) any more than is needed to engauge 2nd. I know that someone mentioned the guide bearing which for us upright fan guys probably isn't a problem (IMHO). When I had my engine out, I noticed that the pilot shaft had lots of play in it, ie. side to side, but I don't know if this is related or not. I have talked to my local VW shop about this, and he says the VW shifter is junk anyway. His solution is a Gene Berg shifter which he says is worth every nickel. I think like $135! (Eugene, care to comment?) I dunno. Personally, I think getting a new guide bushing machined out of brass or bronze would make vast improvements in the shifting.

Hope this helps.

CBridge@vt.edu Chris Bridge 71' camper


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