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Fri Mar 19, 2010 11:44 am

So despite the crazy sounds coming from my transmission (http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=400367&highlight=shift) my car has been shifting really nicely since I bought it. In the last week it has gone downhill quick. Sometimes it just wont go into gear at all, even with the engine off. I decided I might as well check out everything up to the transmission to see if I could get a little more life out of the thing. I removed the shifter to check the bushing and I noticed that my shift plate is in backwards according to the description in the Haynes manual. The manual also says to just leave it however it was. So Im confused, should I flip it, or leave it since it used to shift fine? It is oriented so the long tab is on the passengers side and the short tab is on the drivers side.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 12:19 pm

Also, maybe Im just dumb, but where is the access panel to remove the shift rod on a 71 super? I cant seem to see it anywhere...

Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:23 pm

the panel is actually the crash box up front. look under the car you will see it there two bolts to frame head and a couple near the sway bar. it comes out easily but you may need to unbolt the front of the sway bar to get back in.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:32 pm

Thanks for that. The Haynes manual showed a circular plate held in by a single screw.... Im guessing that is older models.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 1:58 pm

zane9000 wrote: It is oriented so the long tab is on the passengers side and the short tab is on the drivers side.

That's the correct orientation. (Bentley)

Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:01 pm

zane9000 wrote: Also, maybe Im just dumb, but where is the access panel to remove the shift rod on a 71 super? I cant seem to see it anywhere...

Do you need to remove it? I was able to replace the front shift bushing and rear coupler bushings without removing the shift rod from the car. There's enough clearance to the front with everything together, if I remember correctly, to get the shift rod all the way out of the front bracket but still be inside the tunnel.

Fri Mar 19, 2010 2:06 pm

Everything I read just said it was easier to pull it. I already have it back together for the day. I mostly was just checking for play. It feels like there is no bushing in there at all. Ill get around to changing it in the next day or two.

Thanks for the tips!