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Sun Apr 19, 2009 1:45 pm

I need to install a new shift rod guide in my bug. The bug is finished! Is there anyway to do this without cutting a hole in the tunnel. Below is a link to what the shift rod guide looks like. Any help would be appreciated.http://www2.cip1.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D111%2D701%2D255%2DB

Sun Apr 19, 2009 3:29 pm

Drill the spot welds out and rivet or bolt the new one in.

Sun Apr 19, 2009 4:04 pm

is this on a 58-67 beetle or a 71 super beetle? for a 58-67 beetle i use a long rod with masking tape to push it thru' the opening between the front beam tubes and have a helper grab it with a hook made from an old clothes hanger. if you are in the wrong forum you should try 68 and newer. :(

Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:23 am

This is for a 66 bug. The problem is the shift rod guide does not fit through the whole at the top of the tunnel. Also how would i get the old one out and be able to slip the shift rod bushing on slip the shift rod through the guide and put the snap ring into place, all with that little hole?

Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:34 am

71sprbeet wrote: This is for a 66 bug. The problem is the shift rod guide does not fit through the whole at the top of the tunnel. Also how would i get the old one out and be able to slip the shift rod bushing on slip the shift rod through the guide and put the snap ring into place, all with that little hole?

usually you put the snap ring on the bushing before you put it in the hole, then make sure you line the flat side up vertical on the drivers side. next you got to force the rod through the new bushing. it is a tight fit but will go through with some lube. all of this is easily done through that little hole.

i remember reading others ay before that they got the hanger in and out though there as well... maybe odd angles maneuvering it in there?

Mon Apr 20, 2009 9:47 am

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=157519

Mon Apr 20, 2009 11:03 am

I did the shift rod hangar on my '66 last summer. You have to drill out the six spot welds first. That's the hardest part. To get it out of the tunnel, some cut an access hole in the side, but there's no need to.

Unbolt the connector under the back seat.

There's an access plate in the framehead up front. Remove it and take off the bumper as well.

Push the shift rod forward out of the bushing. Through the shifter hole, tie the hangar to the end of the shift rod with a piece of string. Or tape it. Whichever. I tied it so I can't lose it in the tunnel.

Pull the shift rod out through the front of the car.

Tie the new hangar bracket to the shift rod and fish it back down the tunnel.

Weld.

Does that help?

Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:16 pm

How do you know where the spot welds are if they are inside the tunnel? How would you know where to drill?

Mon Apr 20, 2009 12:51 pm

Maybe some pics will help.

Old one coming out.

Old one out.

New one going in, I used a broomstick to maneuver it into position from the front access plate.

New one in before welding. Just weld the holes up.

Done.

Mon Apr 20, 2009 2:50 pm

Great shots of the drill out pattern... I added this thread to the sticky for future reference.

Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:08 pm

Alright everyone...

What do you make of this...

Appears to have been welded.

Welded here too?

Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:43 pm

Yes... they had to weld the parts together at the factory... so what's the problem? :?

Mon Apr 20, 2009 3:54 pm

keifernet wrote: Yes... they had to weld the parts together at the factory... so what's the problem?
I'm new to this and at first I thought the rod was bent to crap. The Haynes books says to inspect the rod and make sure it's straight. After looking in the classifieds it seems mine is fine...OR IS IT?
I was in the process of replacing the bushing when I freaked.

Thanx for the fast reply.

Mon Apr 20, 2009 4:00 pm

Yes the factory had to weld the end for the shifer and the coupler to the pre made rod... that's how all of them look that I have seen cleaned up as well has you have that one...( be sure to smear a thin layer of grease over the entire rod or it will surface rust to hell in time)

Sorry I should have mentioned the the "bend" is normal as well... despite some of the manual's information/description it does have that slight bend in it. What some have to watch out for as well is that there were different lengths in the rods from standard trans to auto stick and sometimes things have been swapped around or the wrong rod picked up/installed. There are some threads/postings on measurements on here...

Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:48 pm

Focker wrote: Alright everyone...

What do you make of this...

Appears to have been welded.

Welded here too?

That looks to be an aftermarket replacement, not a German original. The bend is strange and the welding looks aftermarket.

Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:13 pm

Good pics of the spot weld locations. That would have helped me. If you don't hit one exactly right, you have to do in there with a hammer and chisel or long screwdriver. Careful doing that; I bent the tunnel a little. Good thing I don't have a show car. :oops:

Mon Apr 20, 2009 6:24 pm

Sigurd wrote: Good pics of the spot weld locations. That would have helped me. If you don't hit one exactly right, you have to do in there with a hammer and chisel or long screwdriver. Careful doing that; I bent the tunnel a little. Good thing I don't have a show car. :oops:

I used one of those stepped drill bits after I punched the original locations. It's real easy to feel the factory spot weld when it lets loose.

Mon Apr 20, 2009 10:47 pm

Focker wrote: keifernet wrote: Yes... they had to weld the parts together at the factory... so what's the problem?
I'm new to this and at first I thought the rod was bent to crap. The Haynes books says to inspect the rod and make sure it's straight. After looking in the classifieds it seems mine is fine...OR IS IT?
I was in the process of replacing the bushing when I freaked.

Thanx for the fast reply.

that is a 64-67 shift rod correct? is fine if so.

Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:08 am

Thanks everyone for the help. I really appreciate it. Forgive my stupidity but Can I assemble the shift rod guide and the shiftrod and slide it back through the frame head together? Does the new bushing go on the shift rod or on the guide itself? Also the black ring, where does that go on the bushing? Thanks again

Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:16 am

I personally wouldn't assemble anything, but I suppose you could. I would weld the bracket in place first, then place the clip in the ridge in the bushing, then put the bushing into the bracket, then the rod through the bushing. That new bushing will be tight. You will have to force the shift rod into the bushing. Use grease. Lots of grease.