TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:49 pm

I think last time I took my shifter out I was lucky. I've spent a couple of hours trying to get the shifter back in. What's the trick to getting the ball in without the pin getting in the way?

Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:26 pm

Just line it up and push down super hard.

Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:17 pm

I thread one bolt in just to hold the lower guide up to the floor so it doesn't try to get away. After getting the second one started I leave it loose enough to pull the first bolt out and then get everything lined up. Still takes some fiddling but seems to work.

Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:32 pm

It's real easy with two people. If you're working alone I'd suggest using a jack and a 2X4 to hold the lower guide up....don't make it tight though, cause when you jump in the bus the shocks with give and you could damage the shift rod. From there is should be a piece of cake to get everything lined up.

Sun Jul 27, 2008 8:51 pm

I appreciate it.

Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:55 am

there was just another thread on this, and I recently took mine apart. I don't know why but everytime I do this job I get very frustrated putting it back together. Angle the shifter so the ball gets started then push down.

The biggest trick for me is to walk away if it doesn't go in within an hour and come back the following day to do it.

Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:07 am

I take a shop towel, jam it between the cross member and shift-rod so it does not move too easy. Then a small screw driver to align things from up top...install bolts.

Mon Jul 28, 2008 8:48 am

I use a long bolt the same diameter as one of the two regular bolts and put it through the rear hole, start the thread, then pull up on the bolt while pushing down with the shifter. Then while holding the bolt and the shifter with one hand I start the first short bolt then finish with the other short one after removing the long one. The bottom-most bolt on an RGB is the right size for the long bolt. I keep it in my VW traveling tools just in case. Also, a long time ago, I scratched two alignment marks on the floor, shift plate, and shifter.