Date:         Sun, 25 May 1997 20:36:06 -0500
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Gilbert Landin <gilbert@mindgame.com>
Subject:      shifter problems

re: transmission woes (owes?)

I am close to the end. 
recap:
-synch gear problems on 89 westie 79k miles old (grinds going to 3rd)
-researched and ordered a rebuilt trans
-had it installed (along with retrofits)
-while in the shop
  -replaced a water pump
  -replaced master brake cylinder and some lines.
cost $1010.00 for trans and $1000.00 for remove and replace and the
above work.

PROBLEMS:
	before I had the transmission replaced I made a last ditch effort to
adjusting the shifter linkages. BAD IDEA the bentley does a poor job on
this one folks. If you attempt this mark your starting point on the
front shifter rod where it connects to teh rear shifter. I thought about
doing it but decided against because of the grease and dirt. The manual
say "loosen the clamp and make sure the rods can move back and
forth"..easy enough, except if those rods have not been seperated in
years. When they finally came loose I almost pulled them apart I had no
idea where the starting point was! After I did this I took the van in to
replace the transmission. I had made it worse now I could not get into
1st. 3rd & 4th was the only thing I could get. I explained this to the
mechanic so he could fix my mistake...When I got my van back I was in
the same boat. When I test drove it around the block I came right back
and pointed it out to the manager. It was closing time so I told him I
would bring it back after the holiday. Well I have being working on this
for the past two days, I figured I should be able to figure it out
(either that or cut the yard or something useful) well this is where I
am at...
-shifter will not go into reverse (because that is where 1st is)
-3rd and 4th occupy the position of 1st & 2nd
-I actually have to push DOWN on the shifter to get into 1st.and 2nd.

-decided my shifter box is about 1/2" to far to the driver side.
- I can go into ALL gears including reverse if I remove the shifter box 
    this is the current configuration.

It seems to be that to aleveate the problem I have to move the shifter
box 1/2" to the drivers side. Or shorten the throw in the shifter
somehow.

I did this myself before I took it in to the shop, but for the life of
me I can not see how to get the adjustment that I need. I do not see how
the front and rear shift rod connection adjustment will mess up the
right/left throw of the shifter are there mysterios physics at work
here.


gil
89 westie "money pit" 78k @$11k and counting