My shifter is driving me nuts. It's rattling badly when it's in certain rev ranges. Not at Idle or flat out but mostly in between though. It's coming from the tunnel just behind the actual shifter. It's not the shifter as I've check and re-greased it. If I hold my hand on the shifter even lightly it goes away. Is there some kind of bearing in the tunnel that gets worn out? There is no trouble changing gears. I've also recently had the coupling under the rear seat replaced... The car is a 73 L Bug. Any ideas?

There is a bush that the shift rod goes through just behind the shifter if that is stuffed that can cause it,
or it could be the coupling where the shift rod joins on to the gearbox. I would check both of these both are a easy fix.

Marc

There is a plastic bush which is notorious for wearing out. Once if has fallen apart, the shift rod is free to rattle around in metal hanger.

They are fairly easy to DIY and the parts are cheap. While you're at it you might want to consider replacing the bushes in the shift coupler as well. You will need to remove the shift rod to do both jobs.

Thanks for the help guys. I guess it's the shift rod bush behind the shifter. I'm sure it's going to be a learning experience replacing it.

Read here

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

It was even written about a 1973 Super

Do the rear coupler as well

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

It is no biggie - a Saturday morning job.

Put a short shift kit in while you are at it

Make sure you grease the rod up well and pack the "cup"
Dont you bearing grease - use the other "black" stuff

Thanks Barry. easy to understand article. The rear one is done already as the old one cracked leaving me with only 3rd and 4th in peak hour traffic through the city!