TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Dec 11, 2025 8:05 am

57 standard micro, full resto.

i am using the later style front rod support & bushing, a repop WW front shift rod, original long shift rod, early coupler, small nut RGB tunnel gearbox, OG straight shifter, housing, stop plate & spring. there is no tube for the shift rod on a 57, i have the front crossmember bushing installed. using the front mount adapter found in this thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=583119

the problem that i am having is that i cannot for the life of me get reverse. all forward gears engage easily but no matter what i do with the adjustment, i cannot get it into reverse. if i take the shifter out, i am able to engage reverse. i can assemble the shifter at this point and adjust it as i would for it being in reverse gear, but as soon as i shift it out, no love getting it back in.

this is a complete resto. gerson front floor. much metal has been replaced. i was able to get this same setup working well on a 59 we did after some considerable finagling. but this time, i am running out of options as i am in full paint. any insight is welcomed and i thank you.

Thu Dec 11, 2025 9:07 am

Try using the correct shifter bracket with the M spring

Thu Dec 11, 2025 9:50 am

I had a similar experience with my '57 deluxe.

My setup:
* Fast Fab conversion nose cone
* Rancho rebuilt tunnel case transmission
* NOS donut trans mount
* original front shift bracket
* original shifter
* NOS lockout plate
* NOS front crossmember bushing (which might be installed backwards)
* original shift knob
* repro M spring
* original shift rod
* repro front and rear couplers

I fought for literally hours and couldn't get it into reverse. I gave up for the night, with the shifter bolts still loose. The next morning, I rigged GoPro cameras under the floor at the bracket, and at the rear coupler. I fired it up, and the damn thing went into reverse on the first fucking try. I tightened up the bolts and haven't dared look at it sideways ever since. I still have an issue getting into reverse, but I've found that if I first move the shifter to 3rd, and then to reverse, it works fine. I have no explanation for that.

Thu Dec 11, 2025 9:55 am

sub-hatchtim wrote: Try using the correct shifter bracket with the M spring
you got one?

Thu Dec 11, 2025 10:00 am

OG Shiftrod- great seller

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2695714

Thu Dec 11, 2025 10:25 am

borninabus wrote: sub-hatchtim wrote: Try using the correct shifter bracket with the M spring
you got one?

Unfortunately no spares

Thu Dec 11, 2025 1:41 pm

Edited: Available here. i knew i bought a spare awile ago besides the one i bought from Hazetguy years back
https://bus-ok.nl/Type2-Split-shift-rod-holder-spring-50-59-211711209

Yesterday 8:41 am

First, I'm not surprised you are having issues using the Wolfsburg West front shift rod. You must have been more successful that I was, because I couldn't even manage to get the one I was trying to use mounted in position. I was using both WW front/rear rods, and they were not even close to being aligned to connect them. I had to remove WW reproduction parts one by one, starting with the front shift rod, coupler, then finally the grub screws. They were all ill-fitting, incorrectly made junk.

The original front rod dropped right into position.