I have done this before but can't for the life of me remember the trick (it was quite a few years ago) - I am replacing the little plastic collar (with metal snap ring) shift rod bushing inside the tunnel just behind (and under) the shifter.

I have tried:
A) putting the collar in first, sliding the shift rod through then trying to lever the snap ring on

B) putting the collar and snap ring in first, then trying to slide the shift rod through

C) putting the collar and snap ring on the shift rod and trying to slide it through the little bracket

All attempts have failed (A - couldn't lever the snap ring on; B - couldn't get the shift rod through when snap ring was already on the collar; C - couldn't get the collar through the bracket)

Please help - it is for a 68 beetle pan - body currently off.

Thanks
Alan

it was quite a while ago since i did it, but i seem to remember that i used method B, and that the hardest bit was getting the shiftrod all the way thru so it could connect with the tranny coupling. Lots of effort moving the rod thru the shifter hole with pliers!

i had the same problem, then i removed the metal snap ring and it poped right in and worked just fine. I have since then bought other bushes that did not have the snap ring so I coule either be there to hold the bushes shape or it could be for a different model.

i just did it recently and used option B but used heaps of grease on the shaft.

Same here, method "B".

With the steel ring in place, insert the bushing into position. Then slide the shaft through. I found it alot easier to use a long piece of timber (such as a tomato stake or something) to push the shaft through rather than use the 'pliers' method.

When it's in position then I greased her up!

Yep I did "B" make sure the shaft has no rust along it, lots of greese.
I use the handle of the shed broom to push it all the way in.

Thanks guys, just found an article in Apr 2000 hot vws which confirms method B - I guess I just wasn't pushing hard enough (it had heaps of grease) - seems as though the bushing was buckling as I pushed though.

I'll give it another go (by the way saw in a factory vw manual that the little slot in the bushing should be to the right - that is at about the three o'clock position looking down to the gearbox).

Cheers
Alan

Well I have just finished reading about how to replace the plastic shifter bushing on a Norwegian VW Site, but they didn't mention a steel circlip or ring.... maybe they don't use the ring type anymore....
they just said to make sure the bush clips into place.... sounded like "B" though...
cheers
Lee

yeah i used a broomhandle too until it was too short!