TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Jan 09, 2003 1:09 am

ok, this is the problem, I can get 1st and 2nd fine, but i cant get 3rd and 4th, whats the deal, all of a soden my 3rd,4th gear gave out, It feels like its in neutral,!!could it be the linkage from the shifter, to the nose of the trans is bad? Or just the transmision is bad? IF the linkage is bad,or need adjustment> how do i do this task? pls help, I need my baby on the road, thanks for reading, any reply will be nice

Thu Jan 09, 2003 6:02 am

Can you still get it into reverse ok? I would start by replacing the shift coupler and maybe even the shift bushing. The coupler is the the linkage that you are refering to. You access it by removing the cover plate under your back seat. One small screw holds it to the shift rod, another small screws holds it to the nose of the tranny (sometimes they are safety wired together). Since you will need to remove your shifter to slide the shift rod forward a bit in order to remove and replace the old coupler... I say just slide the whole rod out. You will need to remove the access plate to the tunnel (it is just behind the front beam), and the access plate in your spare tire well also. The rod will slide all the way out of the tunnel through these 2 access holes (almost a bad word there). Once out, reach in to the shifter location, and about an inch back you will see the bushing to be replced. It's held in place with a clip. Easy to follow. Butter up the rod with just a light amount of grease (the new bushing will be a tight fit for the rod) and begin sliding it back in the tunnel (same way it came out). Once all the way in, install the new coupler. Insall the shifter. Not sure if any of this will fix your problem, but the componants are cheap and easy. I just replaced mine, and shifting was improved BIG TIME (all for about $10)!

uumm... I am oddly aroused by this post. All this talk about lubing rods and slinding them through tight bushing and access holes.... WHEW!!!

DaveR

Fri Jan 10, 2003 12:28 am

thanks, . for the reply, any others?

Fri Jan 10, 2003 2:26 pm

I had a similar problem and it was definitely the shift coupler. I kept breaking those orange urethane couplers and finally put the original one back in and it shifts like new.