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Fri Jan 26, 2024 11:52 pm

Lots of junk metal and bad urethane.
Anyone make OEM quality rubber units?
Thanks!
-Phil

Sat Jan 27, 2024 11:36 pm

Phil,
Last I heard CB Performance sells a good coupler. Called a rhino I believe.

https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/6110.htm

Sun Jan 28, 2024 1:27 am

I personaly would weld either side of the marked part and fit new bushes.
This part fails as it is just pressed into position.
I replaced two of them and ended up welding up the original and using the bushes out of the others.

SC

Sun Jan 28, 2024 1:43 am

That may be correct but then I'm mistaken. If so I apologize.

Sun Jan 28, 2024 5:49 am

CSP. Machined pin, cast cage, PU blocks, and tapped for a bolt rather than rolled mild steel and a self tapper.

I think it may be sold under a different brand in the USA

Sun Jan 28, 2024 8:58 pm

I have been using one of these for the last 6 years or so.

https://www2.cip1.com/acc-c10-3595-hd/

So far it has worked flawlessly.

Sun Jan 28, 2024 9:50 pm

Thanks, guys! Considering options...

Mon Jan 29, 2024 11:52 am

I'm not a fan of the bolt-through couplers. The bolts don't fit the hole in the shift rod perfectly, and you get rattles. The expanding roll pin feels cheesy, but it does expand to take care of any errant vibrations.

With a dot of blue thread locker on the roll pin bolt, and a welded cage, it should last the life of the car.

Robbie

Tue Jan 30, 2024 8:25 am

Wildthings wrote: I have been using one of these for the last 6 years or so.

https://www2.cip1.com/acc-c10-3595-hd/

So far it has worked flawlessly.

This one is the same as the EMPI coupler. I like the cage as it is all one piece and requires no extra welding to make it reliable. https://empius.com/products/shift-coupler-with-urethane-inserts-hardware/

Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:19 pm

I have the opposite experience.

The bolt through coupler grips the shifter rod with the polyurethane cheeks so it is springy, while the stock style rolled pins wear out and become loose.

Tue Jan 30, 2024 2:33 pm

Assuming the cage on your old coupler is good, you can buy replacement poly cheeks for very little. You want to be able to carry your old coupler into a VW parts house so you can check for a good fit of the cheeks into the cage. FWIW, twenty years ago, I decided to replace the cheeks and ordered some on-line that ended up being a loose fit, so since I had some polyurethane caulk at hand, I embedded them in the cage using caulk. That jury rig lasted me a good 10 years.

Tue Jan 30, 2024 4:57 pm

Whether it actually works well or not, I appreciate Robbie's explanation of the reasoning for the cheesy roll pin and screw setup.

I was recently frustrated by that thing when I couldn't get the threads to grip the pin enough/ properly to back out, though.

I've had a polyurethane aftermarket coupler in my '78 for 20ish years but wasn't to replace it. The urethane is starting to break down a little, and I have an annoying wine from my straight- cut 4th gear that transmits right up through the rod and into the cabin via the shifter.

Anyone have feedback on quiet options that aren't junk?

Wed Jan 31, 2024 7:41 am

I concur with mikedjames

https://www.csp-shop.com/en/transmission/shift-rod...9732a.html

I've bought a couple and this one is the nicest so far

Wed Jan 31, 2024 9:18 am

metahacker wrote: I concur with mikedjames

https://www.csp-shop.com/en/transmission/shift-rod...9732a.html

I've bought a couple and this one is the nicest so far

Do you feel that the urethane inserts transmit noise?

Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:25 pm

"Transmit noise" is such a subjective thing. :lol:

I used this for three weeks before I gave it away to torment someone else.

https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/6110.htm

Wed Jan 31, 2024 6:57 pm

If your cage is OK, CB will sell you just the bushings and bolt/nut. I’ve installed dozens of them. They work great. Avoid the Empi ones. The red urethane crumbles before long.