Shoptalkforums.com

I'm brandnew at this, so patience is appreciated! My bus has a hangup going into first gear, it wants to go into third, and I have to move the lever over towards reverse and sometimes even have to push down at the sametime. This has even caused it to go into reverse while rolling slightly at a stoplight. It has also been a little sticky from 1st to 2nd recently. I have crawled under and sprayed WD40 on what I can see of the linkage while my wife moved the lever thru the gears but did'nt help. My thanks to all up front!

there should be a bushing where the linkage from the shifter meets the linkage from the tranny, if it looks bent at all(it should be rectangular) that's probably your problem. My 73 was doing the same thing and when I changed that it was 300% better the old one looked like a parallelogram

Thanks,I'll take a look at that bushing tomorrow, hopefully I won't need any special tools.Unfortunately my toolbox is in serious need of an upgrade. I have recently decided to take on some repairs to save a little dough. thanks again

Hey Thumposaurus, I'm not having any luck locating the bushing. I've traced the linkage from where the stickshift comes thru the floor back to the tranny and the only thing that looks like a bushing to me is back at the tranny where the long rod ends and goes up 90 degrees to the tranny. There is sort of a diamond shaped plate with a carrier type bushing supporting the rod going thru it. Am I not looking in the right place? Is there a decent shop manual out there that is reasoably priced? Thanks again for the help. P.S. I did a lot more cleaning and lubricating at every connection of linkage I could get at and it did help some.

Aloha Mick,
Vanagons have a different style shifter then pre '79 buses. They have a ball and socket set up instead of the block. Check the front bushing under the front cab section. Also check where the shifter rod goes through body supports and mid coupling. Usually the problem you decribe is up front.

Aloha, Theo

Get the Bentley manual for your Westy. Not the cheapest but it won't lead you astray. If there's any slop in the bushings, replace them.

Aloha, Theo

Aloha Mick,
The Bently manual is available in most book sellers. Check Amazon or you might get a good used one on ebay. A friend with a 80 westy bought a new one locally for about $60.

The section going right through the floor usually isn't the problem though it can wear. Usually it the next piece down. I usually have a friend wiggle the stick around to see where slop is. In fact his bus is doing what yours is. He'll be at my place in a day or too so maybe I can get some pics to show what you need.

Tools: Good start with sockets. For a basic set you should have 8-19mm in both wrenches and sockets, flat and phillips screwdrivers, metric allen wrenches, vise grips, needle nose pliers, adjustable wrench, 13/16" swivel spark plug socket and a test light. You'll find you'll need more as time goes on but these should take care of a lot you'll run into. Get Sears craftsman tools since they have an unlimmited warrenty and won't break like tawaiin/China tools.

Aloha, Theo

Mahalo Theo I've checked out the Bently website and am looking for a store in my area that has them. You would'nt have some idea of what kind or size of tools I should buy to work on my bus? I have a socket set from 8 to 15mm and plan on getting wrenches also, but am not sure how big or small to go. Is that a bushing right where the stickshift comes thru the floor?

Mick....I won't be home until Saturday so I should see my friend on Sunday. Sorry, got hung up on a project on Oahu.

Aloha, Theo

I have a 80 Vanagon, and popped the bushing off the little centering rod that bolts to the tranny ( not knowing van tranny was hinged) cost was 2.30 at the VW dealer who was more than happy to fax me the parts manual, I also have a Haynes manual, which for the most part told how to adjust the linkage and what parts were in the linkage, I know Haynes suckes but it was right on for the adjustment and I cant shift again. call the dealer and have them fax you the page at least you can see the parts and be able to adjust it or look at worn parts
Regards
Richard