Re: [T3] shift linkage is sloppy!

[Tunaitis@aol.com]

<< does anyone have any advice on fixing sloppy shift linkage? my shifter
 moves about 2 to 3 inches in all directions when in neutral. i know that
 there is a coupling that can go bad. i am have problems keeping the car
 in reverse. keep in mind this is when the car is not running and i am at
 a stand still. i am pretty sure it is not trans related. i think that it
 has to do with the linkage. any advice out there? >>

    Popping out of gear can be a sign of a failing transaxle.  But it could 
also be a linkage problem. However, it would not have to do with the rear 
shift coupling.

    Still, the rear shift coupling is the first thing to look at, it can only 
be accessed from underneath the car.  Remove the inspection cover and check 
it out.  If the coupler is fine, move further up the line to the gearshift 
itself.  Take it off (it's no problem to readjust) and inspect the shiftrod 
bushing.  If it's fine, reinstalling the shifter and adjusting it (Shouldn't 
it be closest to vertical when in 2nd gear?)  might fix it.  It seems like 
that dinky little bushing is never fine, though.  Betcha a dollar it's toast 
and sitting in pieces in the bottom of your shift tunnel.  That's how you'll 
always find 'em!  
    Replacing this bushing can be a pain, but it's a lot less painful in your 
car because the shifter mounts to a plate bolted atop the tunnel which also 
holds the rod bracket w/ bushing.  Still, the best way to go about replacing 
this bushing is to remove the shift rod.  It comes out the front.  You'll 
have to 1. remove the rear coupler cage from the rod at the transaxle, 2. 
remove the access plate at the front of the pan  (that rectangular plate with 
two bolts next to your master cylinder),  3.  Remove your spare tire well,   
4.  Remove the access plug at the bottom center of your body's front apron  
(ahhh...  so THAT's why that's there!!), and 5.  Slide the shift rod out.   
    Now that you have the rod out you'll see that it's BENT from where 
somebody took out the engine and didn't support the transaxle properly.  They 
let the tranny hang by the shift coupling which should have been disconnected 
in the first place, prior to engine removal!  That's why you're popping out 
of gear.  Get a straight shiftrod and it will stay in reverse.
    Ok, ok....   I'm describing a worst case scenario here. :)    If your 
shift rod isn't mangled, clean it up,  grease it, install the bushing and 
adjust your shifter.  The slop will be gone.  BUT, if your shiftrod IS in 
good shape the popping out of gear problem lies in the transaxle itself.  
_That's_ the worst case scenario.

    If the whole shiftrod thing sounds daunting, don't worry, it's just a 
nuts and bolts thing that can be handled without too much trouble.  The last 
time I bought a shiftrod bushing at the local VW specialty shop it cost a 
whopping 87 cents!  Good OE biscuits for your rear coupling are a couple 
bucks each.  
 
                                            It will be well worth your 
trouble when your Squre shifts like new!!
                                                                            
---  Mike T.                                                        

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Search old messages on the Web!  Visit http://www.vwtype3.org/list/