'69 Beetle downshift issues

Hey all,

I picked up my "new" '69 Beetle earlier this week. I'm reasonably pleased with her and got her for a fair price, although I'm well aware that there will be a few challenges along the way.

My question for my learned VW colleaguse has to do with the gearbox. I'm finding that to get a clean shift between 3 and 2 I'm having to double-clutch.

The gearbox is a bit leaky, but I haven't yet identified the source. A quick glance shows oil a long way forward, so I'm thinking it may be the selector shaft seal.

I've also read somewhere that the symptoms could be indicative of a worn synchros

All that said, does anyone have any other ideas as to the cost of rebuild? Or is a seal replacement and lube top-up likely to be the end of my downshift woes?

Comments appreciated!

Happy Easter!

hi there
from 3 down to 2nd i have had probs in the past too
and it's not umcommon for gearbox probs and yes the front will leak
but therwe are some cheap things that are easy to fix
the 2 rubber blocks under the back seat the joint the gearbox to the front
and inside the tunnel there is a thingy not sure what it's called and they wear
mick motor are your best bet and would cost about 20 bux for these parts
also pm you addy and i have some help vids
cheers

Hey, thanks for those tips. I guess a change of mounts might make a difference - it's worth a try anyway.

PM sent by the way.

Cheers!

The solution may be simpler than that. It might just require an adjustemnt of the plate that holds the gear stick to the transmission tunnel.Not sure which way to adjust it, but try loosening the 2 bolts and shifting it slightly.

2nd gear syncro kaput

If it goes into gear OK - i dont think it is the base or the couplings

Whatever - i would still do the rear coupler first.
and do the front shift bushing as well

read here
http://www.vw-resource.com/vw-resource.com_non_ssl/search.php?zoom_query=shift+bush&zoom_per_page=10&zoom_and=1&zoom_sort=0



Here is how to adjust the plate for whatgear. Page 5
http://www.csp-shop.de/technik/pdf/deeng/21574.pdf

I find with my 69 I need to be travelling fairly slow to go from 3rd to 2nd but i am still getting used to driving the car.

correct me if i am wrong but the Vw's have always been notorious for being difficult to down change from 3rd to 2nd because of the large gear ration?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Based on my own experience it could well be the shifter stop plate. I'm reminded that my old Kombi had shift problems (can't remember exactly what) that were remedied by installation of a new plate. It's a quick and easy job that I will have a crack at first.

Next, if things still aren't quite right, I'll do the shifter coupling and nylon bush. My son and I replaced these recently on his Super Bug and it tightened things up considerably; although that bug downshifted relatively smoothly anyway. There was just a little too much play in the stick.

I've been accused of being a pessimist on most occasions, but I won't be leaping to have my synchros replaced just yet. Then again, I just might have to go down that track one day, and it will certainly put paid to the leaks. I can always double-clutch while I save my pennies.

Anyone know how much a transmission rebuild costs?

Paulc1964au wrote:I find with my 69 I need to be travelling fairly slow to go from 3rd to 2nd but i am still getting used to driving the car.

correct me if i am wrong but the Vw's have always been notorious for being difficult to down change from 3rd to 2nd because of the large gear ration?

they should change down with no trouble.😊
just like any car

ian.mezz wrote:they should change down with no trouble.😊
just like any car

😁