Date:         Wed, 12 Jul 1995 13:55:59 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         eugp@uclink3.berkeley.edu (Eugene C. Palmer)
Subject:      Re: trans mount

>Well, I just replaced the shift couple on my '65 deluxe.  I had to sissor-
>jack up the transmission inorder to line up the new coupler. Humm....
>I didn't think it should have to move so much for alignment.  I lowered the
>jack and shifting is really stiff.  The shift rod is bottoming out on the 
>guide.  somethings not right.  I think I have a broken front transmission
>mount.  Since I don't have a Bentley (but I'm right behind Bentley College)
>could someone help me out?  What does the front trans mount look like?
>Mines got a rubber mat between two steel plates.  The plate next to the 
>transmission is not fixed to the rubber.  I think it should be.  When I 
>lower the trans. the plate slides down the rubber mat.  I think my 
>transmission is merely leaning against the rest of the mount because it
>can't fall lower.  It also explains the weird oscillations I get in low
>gears as maybe the trans/engine is bouncing up and down and pulling on
>the accellerator cable.  I've lived with this and learned to drive her 
>w/o causing this to happen.  Is my front mount busted?  I don't see any
>other means of keeping the trans elevated/oriented properly.
>
>I probably should have wiped the grease of my hands before typing this....
>
>christian
>

When this has occured to swingaxle transmissions, I've temporarily use
vise-grips, and more permanently, drilled up and back through the mount and
fit a 8mm CV bolt with a nylock nut on it.  Works great, don't use a 1/4-20
bolt though, they just shear.  Make sure the trans/engine is jacked into
line before you drill.  Will likely hold until you get a chance to replace it.  

And isn't it amazing how long a shift coupler can last when the entire
weight of the engine is hanging on the shift linkage, banging up and down
every time you shift and accelerate? 

Eug,
'71