TheSamba.com :: View topic - Sound Proofing by the drivers seat stick shift

Sun Nov 09, 2025 5:34 am

Hello

I have a '95 Eurovan EVS with a 5-speed transmission, and I'm noticing a lot of engine noise from the floor in the front cab. I'd love to tackle a soundproofing project to quiet things down, but I'm trying to do this on a reasonable budget.

I'm looking for advice on the best solution. My main factors are:

Effectiveness: What will make a real difference with that engine drone?

Price: I'm looking for something that works well without breaking the bank.

Ease of Installation: I'm planning to do this myself, so bonus points for a straightforward process.

Any tips or product recommendations would be massively appreciated.

Thanks!

Mon Nov 10, 2025 9:28 am

First have you made sure that the factory boots and such are all in good shape and firmly connected?

Mon Nov 10, 2025 10:33 am

I have not done that yet.

Tue Nov 11, 2025 1:01 pm

Air leaks are easy and cheap to solve, so worth checking. That'll help with any whistling, rushing, or other high-frequency sounds.

If you're hearing engine and tire noise you'll need to pull the carpet and lay in some damping material like Dynamat/Killmat/etc.

Wed Nov 12, 2025 10:54 am

I have an auto trans but your post makes me think of the space where the shifter lever enters the cab through the floor. The plastic housing around the shifter is very cracked and even has an open hole about the size of a golfball where a piece has broken off. Through that hole I can see clear space that i assume is just letting a bunch of engine/road noise into the cab. I was going to just repair the hole for aesthetic reasons but would it be worthwhile to remove the plastic housing around the shifter altogether and apply some insulation? Would it make a noticeable difference to noise?

Wed Nov 12, 2025 12:31 pm

Trash Vanda wrote: I have an auto trans but your post makes me think of the space where the shifter lever enters the cab through the floor. The plastic housing around the shifter is very cracked and even has an open hole about the size of a golfball where a piece has broken off. Through that hole I can see clear space that i assume is just letting a bunch of engine/road noise into the cab. I was going to just repair the hole for aesthetic reasons but would it be worthwhile to remove the plastic housing around the shifter altogether and apply some insulation? Would it make a noticeable difference to noise?
Yes, you should seal the hole under the shift lever.
If you live in western WA, you don't want the upcoming wet weather getting into the shift mechanism.

I was looing for replacement seals in that area and I am struggling to find a supplier that carries them.

Thu Nov 13, 2025 12:46 pm

67rustavenger wrote: Yes, you should seal the hole under the shift lever.

I looked into this a little more and it doesn't seem to be what I thought. I haven't taken apart the shifter lever in my van yet but I found this documentation online and the photos aren't what I was expecting:

https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/ev-auto-tranny-shifter-plastic-piece.5207225/

The "hole" I'm talking about in my own van is the same as in the link, just a piece of the plastic housing that has broken off and fallen through the compartment. I thought the hole would go all the way through the van floor but it seems like it just leads to some kind of box that holds the shifter components.

How are you suggesting I seal the hole? Just repair the damaged plastic like in that link, or something more substantial? I was going to literally stuff the hole full of wool batting but now that I see that there are mechanical parts down there I'm hesitant. I do want to eliminate as much gap/airspace as possible for maximum noise reduction, but dont want to do anything that would interfere with the operation of the shifter, obviously. What do you suggest?

Thu Nov 13, 2025 1:03 pm

So, are you saying that the movable shift lever cover is broken? Or am I mistaken on your "hole" issue?
Mine is too.
You can buy replacement covers from Gowesty.
Taking the shift lever assembly apart is pretty easy.