shifter rotates all around...beetle 1970

Marcon3001

Hi,

I went to tighten the top of my stock shifter cap and noticed that the whole rod just rotates. I was told by the bug shop that this shouldn't happen and it is because of a pin the sticks out the front of the rod at the bottom and keeps it from rotating. This pin must have been sheared of or something. The shifter works, although a little roughly.

Should I get a new bug pack or EMPI shifter to replace the rod, and would this solve the rotating shifter problem? And is it hard to put the new shifter in? Or is there another way to fix this?

I removed the two bolts holding the shifter cover down and saw a lotta grease and bits of shredded stuff around the ball and that area. Does this mean I need to replace that bushing too?

- thanks

- thanks

Cusser · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:19 pm Post subject:

Both my VW's gearshifts are stock ('71 and '70) and rotate freely. I am positive (1) I just went out and rotated it and (2) it's always bugged me (no pun) that wife doesn't give a hoot which direction the gearshift knob points, as I have the Wolfsburg castle gearshift knobs, and I like them aligned straight.
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

SLO-N-LO-69 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 9:41 pm Post subject:

Mine spins in my 73 as well and my shift rod has no groove in the front (just replaced my bushings and saw it). I've never had a car earlier than '68 though so I thought it was normal.

glutamodo · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:18 am Post subject:

Sometime after VW dropped the curved shift lever, they realized there wasn't any need to pin it in place any more, so they got rid of that too. I'd not be worried about it.

What did you mean by "shredded stuff"??? The bushing is a white plastic, usually stained yellow by time and grease, and it's a little ways in the tunnel back from where the shift lever socket is. If you can reach down in there with some pliers and lift up and down on shift rod, and it moves a ways, especially if you hear metal-on-metal noises, then the bushing is probably shot. It should only move a millimeter or two if the bushing is in good shape.

hvw · Samba Member Joined: February 13, 2005 Posts: 276

You might want to try stretching the big spring that sits between the shifter plate and the tunnel a little to put more tension back in it. That stopped my shifter from rotating. I agree that it's not a problem but it sure bugged the heck out of me. Sounds like you may need a shifter bushing also.

Goranothos · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:42 am Post subject:

It is normal for a '70 shifter to rotate freely. There is no pin to hold it in place, it's just a ball in a cup. I don't know what year(s) had the pin. For this reason, I use the plain stock shift knob with no markings on it.

You probably do need to replace your shift rod bushing, however.

CarreraRS2.7 · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 4:46 am Post subject:

My '74 will rotate freely as well.
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DrDarby · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:07 am Post subject:

The pin was dropped with the 1968 model year when the shifter was moved rearward and a straight lever was used. The pin was to keep the bent shift lever in the proper position.
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julrich366 · Posted: Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:04 pm Post subject:

Like everyone, mine ('74) spins too. Take an afternoon (only takes 1-2 hours) and replace the bushing and check the coupler under the back seat as well. Will make a world of difference in your shifting!
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- John
'74 Vert ..lot's to still do.

PhilosoBug

Since this thread answered half my question and still seems to relate to my issue/question... though if I should make a new thread, let me know.

Took the '68 bug for it's first spring spin recently, had lots of trouble starting off in 1st gear every time (either stalling or bucking). Practiced in my driveway yesterday and discovered that if I shift into 1st sometimes it's got a lot of left-to-right play in the shifter, which is when I have issues going. But if I put it back into neutral, spin the shifter a quarter turn (or so - I just mean not much), and put it back into 1st, I get less l-to-r play and get going no problem.

This thread at least answered for me that being able to spin the shifter is normal. But why is doing that helping reduce the l-to-r play in 1st? Why is the amount of l-to-r play affecting my ability to drive in 1st?
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'68 Beetle Convertible


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