TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon May 14, 2012 10:09 am

Just wondering where to start and hoping it's just an adjustment issue. My 62 deluxe is having an issue finding first and second, like the plate has adjusted over or something. When I try for first I either get reverse or third. From a rest, if I clutch in and find second then row up to first, I can get it, but otherwise it's a gamble. If I adjust for the reverse lock out - which I have on my berg shifter, should that be where to start? If not, where would the good people of Samba suggest I look next?
Cheers
Cam

Mon May 14, 2012 10:14 am

I would check the grub screw at the coupler in the back...or front of your transmission. If the coupler is loose, you will have all kinds of sparatic problems.

Mon May 14, 2012 10:21 am

Have you replaced your shift rod bushings recently?

Mon May 14, 2012 10:40 am

I have not replaced them, but maybe I will bring a long a set. Issue is that it is stored for the winter over at my cabin and I sort of have to bring everything with me for my weekend tune up. It has vintage plates and only gets 1000km a year or so. I restored it so long ago (20 years) that I now find myself forgetting how to do some of these simple things.

Mon May 14, 2012 10:41 am

What does your shift gate look like? Mine is broken and makes shifting difficult but possible... I just learned to deal with it because I heard it's a pain to get in there to swap it out.

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=111701255B

^ that thing

Mon May 14, 2012 10:52 am

Not sure what shape it is in. I may have to do a recon to the garage, diagnose, then return to city to order parts and then head back again. I don't want to over order parts if it turns out to be a simple loose screw.

Mon May 14, 2012 8:54 pm

Make sure you safety wire those coupler bolts, and in such way as the wire keeps tightening them. Safety wire it the wrong way and the wire can actually loosen the coupler bolts even just a 1/8 turn and cause all sorts of shifting problems.

Lost a coupler bolt out in nowhere Arizona due to no safety wire. Got lucky and found another of those bolts laid on the transaxle horns stuck in old gear oil/dirt where it had been left by the VW dealer shop that had worked over the transaxle a few months before!

Mon May 14, 2012 9:48 pm

will do! That is an awesome story - your karma cup must have been full up!