912 shifting gears (& trying to avoid reverse while driv

[Peter - Belgium]

Hello all,

I'm new in the 912 driving, so still getting used to the strange shift pattern

one question... it seems there is no "preventing feature" from shifting from 4th/2nd to reverse?
When I drive the shift from 4th to 2nd is so close together that I missed it a few times already and that is seemed I was trying to get her in reverse... which is not a good thing to do while driving!


when static and engine not running there seems to be much more space when shifting from 4th to 2nd and then I need to do some more effort to go more to the left to actual move to reverse. During driving this is not the case and all seems much closer and no effort needed to move too much to the left?

Any clues? bushings worn a bit so more play? clutch/throw out bearing worn?

Thanks!
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356 Outlaw built: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=430774&highlight=

[jt912]

I am assuming you are talking of a 4 speed transaxle? It is very hard/impossible to get into reverse from 4 or 2 while moving in the 5 speed.

[Peter - Belgium]

No, it is a 5 speed.

So when driving and I want to take a turn into a street I shift down from 4th gear to 2nd - which btw also feels like I can only move the shiftknob about 1/2 inch to the left to move from 4th to 2nd - i got the grinding noise in the gearbox as if I wanted to push it into reverse??

Strange thing is that when I do it static there is a big gap between 4th and reverse (even a bigger gap then that 1/2inch between 4th and 2nd)?

So I might not be even close to the reverse gear during driving and it might be something totally different, but it does sound like gears not engaging and grinding??

Thx
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356 Outlaw built: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=430774&highlight=

[jt912]

Both first and reverse have a helper spring to help prevent you from accidently getting into them. If you are finding you don't have to physically push the shift lever over and then up and down, I would say that something is wrong with your shifter. That doesn't explain the grinding though. There are plenty of areas to look into. Clutch free play, shifter cup, linkage, worn syncros.

[Peter - Belgium]

[fig]

I have exactly the same issue with my 69 912 5-speed.

Adjusting the linkage has made a slight improvement, but the tendency to select reverse when shifting down to 2nd is still there.
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fig
Kaapse Kombi Kult

"Don't make a fuss, just get on the bus ..."

[Peter - Belgium]

[thesatanicmechanic]

The grinding you hear may just be a worn second gear synchronizer. Bring the revs up a bit while trying to select 2nd in order to confirm. Should engage more easily if the engine speed is nearer the transmission speed.