Shift problems

73Dub Learner Dubber

3 posts · joined Nov 2008 · 8 Nov 2008, 8:36 am

#678644

I've recently gotten myself a 73 4spd manual beetle, my first VW in fact, and it has a few issues. Specifically, when I'm making a left hand turn, if I try to upshift from first to second it regularly goes into fourth. I sometimes have the same issue if I'm downshifting from third to second with or without being in a turn. Is this common? Is there a simple fix or am I going to have to do major work to get this straightened out?

Trey

Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,787 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 8 Nov 2008, 10:15 am

#678653

Is this common?

Yes

Is there a simple fix

Yes

It will be the shift rod bushing and the rear coupling

The shift rod bushing is a $1.00 piece of plastic that holds the rod up in the tunnel
It is the culprit that makes your gear stick rattle.
Not REALLY your problem here but change it while you are at it and the difference is night and day

The rear coupler is the piece of rubber that is in a housing that joins the shift rod to the transmission.
THIS is the main culprit.

Put a short shift kit in and you will have an excellent set up

You need to be a little careful putting it all back together to make sure the plate goes in the right spot.
The CSP link will tell you how to adjust it though

here are some links to read

Rob and Daves brilliant site (save this link. It is your best friend)

http://www.vw-resource.com/shifter_bushing_replacement.html

http://www.vw-resource.com/shift_coupler.html

AC Net article n changing the bits and a few other things you may be interested in

http://www.aircooled.net/gnrlsite/resource/articles/mods.htm

CSP link on how t adjust the plate

http://www.csp-shop.de/technik/pdf/deeng/21574.pdf

an exploded picture showing the rear coupler

http://www.oldbeetle.net/pcat/epc.html

This one is also BRILLIANT
it is a chopped up view of inside a beetle tunnel

http://www.vwdcqinc.org.au/vwdcqimages/insideabugimages/insidetunnel.html

Anyway - have fun

Barry

Futue te ipsum!!!

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 8 Nov 2008, 10:43 am

#678657

Great job Barry....

yes, the bit You will have a problem with is the intermediate plate or reverse lockout plate which sits
between the base of the gearshifter and the tunnel..
the plastic bush is in the tunnel...

cheers

Lee

PS: make sure that You have to push the gear lever Down to select Reverse.. very important..

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---