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Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:07 pm

I bought a baja bug that i have been wrestling with since august 09.

It came with a trigger shifter.

After replacing the coupler, i noticed that i had a hard time finding gears.

i adjusted the shifterplate and all was good. for a while.

Now i cannot shift into reverse and to get into first and second i have to pull the trigger.

do i need a new shifter?

usually after in post, i have an epiphany, but it is unlikely in this case.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:33 pm

Did you replace the shift rod bushing too? Or just the coupler?

Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:04 pm

The one near the coupler?

Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:11 pm

Okay, wtf is this shifter plate?! I always hear people talking about it, and I have no idea what it is.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:35 pm

here's a few examples

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?...ton=Search
fits between the shifter and the tunnel - sets the limits for shifter, and helps enable the reverse lockout -
improperly aligned, it can prevent the shifter from reaching certain gears.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:46 pm

what kind of shifter do you have? i have the EMPI trigger http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=803472 shifter and dont use the stock shift plate. the trigger is the lock release for reverse. if you are using the EMPI shifter, check that the rivots at the base of the shifter have not come loose. they have a rep for doing this and can be replaced by bolts and locking nuts.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:03 pm

thanks for the reminder - I'd forgotten since I'd installed my trigger shifter -
thanks for the heads up about the loose rivets. If I ever have any issues with it - I'll look at that first.

Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:31 pm

its a Hurst.

so the recommendation is to change both bushings then?

Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:08 pm

I would recommend changing the shift rod bushing, which is closer to the shifter itself (do a search and you'll find lots of info on this). And then adjust the plate as well.

Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:18 am

LeviMan2001 wrote: Okay, wtf is this shifter plate?! I always hear people talking about it, and I have no idea what it is.

It also moves the pivot point up on the shifter so the shift throw is a little shorter. I didn't like mine and put the stock shifter back on.

Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:05 pm

replaced the bushing and it shifts like a dream