shifting problems

The two bolts holding the shifter in place can be removed, but the location of the shifter plate-thingy (highly specific technical wording, of course) fore/aft and left/right is what controls the ease of finding the gears.  Mark the placement before you remove the plate.

What about that shifting ball, assuming that's what you call it. Should that be rotating, i don't think so, what causes that ? It will literally rotate almost a full circle.

If the whole lever (it's one piece, including ball) rotates, that's a different story.  I think (but don't truly remember) that there's a pin that keeps it oriented properly.  If I'm correct, that could be loose/broken.  Do you have a VW repair manual or the Muir book?  If not, spend some money on them.

Somebody here more knowledgeable than I am needs to speak up.

Art,

Without seeing photos it's tough to suggest a fix. Nothing should be spinning on your shifter.

For 40 bucks you can buy an Empi trigger shifter and forget about it.

Early or angled shifters have a pin in the shifter's end ball and slot in the shift rod cup to keep the shifter itself from rotating. Late straight shaft shifters don't have either one because it doesn't matter if the shifter spins in the mount. Aftermarket shifters have the pin in the center pivot ball instead so will work with either type of shift rod.

Early shifters have a pin in the shifter's end ball,and a slot in the shift rod cup to keep the shifter itself from rotating. That's exactly what i have as you state Justinh.

Now what i think is going on is the pin is sliding out of the shift rod cup and allowing to rotate.

Now what's the fix? I'm working on it and i'll ultimately get it fixed, but i want do it myself, that's part of the reason why i got the car, it's a hobby.if I really have to take the car in for major work i will this doesn't seem to be major, i've done all the work on most of my other cars, adjusting valves, tune ups, brakes,oil changes,elctrical, and so forth.

I'm still not clear, on aftermarket shifters as you describe it. is this the fix.

I was told that there's a bushing on the shaft that sometimes were's out, and that may need to be replaced ?

Thanks, Art

Once again if that bushing wears out, the shaft falls slightly down, that's why the shift ball and pin slide out whem shifting.

Now i have to figure how to replace that bushing, is there access in front of the car to pull this out when losened.

Or does somebody, have a another idea?

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDe...uctCode=ACC-C10-3565

O.K. looks like i'm going to purchase a empi trigger shifter, it makes sense. i hope it works. I'll get back to you all.

Thanks!

As mentioned, when you have the shifter off look towards the back of the car to where the shift rod goes thru a loop. There should be a teflon/plastic bushing in that loop that the shift rod goes thru. If it's worn or gone a new shifter will not cure the problem. That bushing can be replaced without removing the rod using a trick I learned in the business.

That's what i'm afraid of. although a new shifter may work it still doesn't solve the problem.

O.k. let's here it brother doug, how do you change the bushing without removing the shift rod. What's the TRICK.

Art

Doug with a capitol D.

I'd like to know too. I don't see any way that you could get that bushing in place in the hanger with the rod still in place. Hell, I could barely get the bushing in with the rod out. Not to mention screwing up the ring clip trying to get it around the rod. Now you certainly can slide the rod forward in the tunnel far enough to get it out of the hanger without needing to remove the front access panel as long as you remember to attach some method of retrieving it.

In the past we dealt w/ a new bushing that was split lengthwise. We'd taper it at the end that goes to the rear of the car using a grinder until the edge was very thin. Then we'd lube the taper and the bushing liberally w/ Lubriplate (white grease) also lube the shift rod liberally and then install it by pushing it into the mounting plate from the front starting at one corner and then rotating it in to the slot until the last section was at the 4 or 8 o'clock position. Then we'd use a LARGE screwdriver to push the last section all the way in making sure the split was at the top. We'd use a zip tie instead of the circular clip. Usually done in 30min. from start to finish

Looks Like shift rod bushing was good. I installed a Empi trigger shifter, that solved the problem.

It shift like beauty now !

Thanks.

Good to hear, Art!

Now go drive the shift out of it!