Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 08:24:47 -8
Reply-To: Wes Neuenschwander <wesn@ESKIMO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Wes Neuenschwander <wesn@ESKIMO.COM>
Subject: Re: Shift knob rattle help??
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I've had this problem with both my '82 Vanagon and my '91 Westy. In both
cases it was most pronounced in 3rd gear, at about 3,000 - 4,000 rpm,
though is also noticeable on occassion in 4th gear (at about the same
engine speed). In my case, the noise would go away if the shifter were
eased off the resting point a bit, though you could still feel the
vibration.
The dealer tried every adjustment conceivable, relubed the linkage and
bushings repeatedly and even tried various mods to the shifter and
linkage. Finally, a particularly savvy and persistent dealer mechanic
discovered the cause: the shifter u-joint assembly was rattling against
the shifter gate. He fabricated a cushion from heat shrink and a spare
piece of nylon sheet material and the problem went away.
Worked great until a couple of years later when I asked the dealer to
inspect the modification (I was concerned that the heat shrink may have
become abraded by the shifter assembly). Unfortunately, the original
mechanic was no longer there. When I got the van back, the service
department reported that everything looked just fine. 3 blocks down the
road I noticed the rattle had come back, louder and more persistant than
ever! I suspect that the mechanic who checked it out simply didn't
understand its function and somehow screwed it up. Anyhow, it's been
rattling ever since (2 years or so). I keep meaning to dig into it myself
someday, but just haven't gotten around to it.
Personally, I suspect that these problems are due to a combination of
effects: the vibration level (which may be exacerbated by loose or broken
engine or transmission mounts) and clearances between the linkage
components (e.g. the shifter and shift gate). The higher the vibration
level generated at the shifter shaft, the more critical the clearances
between components becomes. Worn bushings can also be a culprit (though
these did not play a part in my problem).
BTW, I recall a post to the list a while back suggesting an adjustment to
the shifter shaft that supposedly fixed a similar problem. As I recall,
there is an adjustment at the tranny that can affect how the shifter rides
in the shift gate. Frankly, this bit of advice was beyond my savvy
(having essentially no mechanical ability). Perhaps someone on the list
can explain or elaborate on this approach (or others).
Above all, I agree and commiserate with you - this can be a damn annoying
problem!!
-Wes
> Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 12:00:33 -0700
> From: drc11 <drc11@EMAIL.MSN.COM>
> Subject: Shift knob rattle help??
> While on a long trip this weekend we noticed cruzing down the highway our
> shift knob rattles... and is very anoying! Anybody have a cure?
>
> Madeline
> '90 Syncro Westie
>
Wes Neuenschwander
Seattle, WA
wesn@eskimo.com
