help I can't shift into reverse!

[jaredmarcucci]

Help with reverse issue. My 1978 Westy runs great but this morning I jump into my bus to head out and it would not shift into reverse no matter what I did. It seemed to go into second no matter how I shifted. After several miniutes I gave up an borrowed my wife's car. I have done some research and I am thinking that I need to adjust the housing as it may be too far backward? I tought I would see what you guys thought. The engine only has 3500 as well as the clutch and the tranny. There are no issues with the other gears. Thanks in advance!

[mintonman]

check the rear coupler on your shift linkage, sounds like it spinning on the hockey stick when you try to hit reverse, thats why your hitting 2nd, it won't turn the hockeystick far enough to get reverse.
_________________
Hoockd on fonicks werkt for mee?
under the influance "DUH"

[jaredmarcucci]

I am looking at my repair manual and trying to figure out the best attack plan. Should I remove the gearshift bolts and stop bracket and look at that area first or do I attack the coupler from underneath the bus. Also when adjusting the couple do you know if I need to remove the square bolt and adjust it or is there another way to adjust it?

Sorry for all the questions and your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[proktus]

after i changed my clutch cable, I had same problem after couple of weeks, - cable stretched a bit, and first thing was that reverse gear didn't go in. So try to shut engine and if then goes - it can be clutch cable, so needs adjustment from back wingnut. If gear won't go in even when engine not running - something else is wrong!

[Wildthings]

[mintonman]

[pwilson]

I agree 100% with mintonman about the shift coupler. I was unable to find shift into reverse until yesterday, when I finished replacing my coupler. One word of advice if you do replace it, it is STUBBORN! I ended up having to destroy my old one just to remove it.

[jaredmarcucci]

Man I really appreciate everyone's input and help. Let me tell you what I have done so far. I noticed this issue in my garage where I could not put in in reverse. It fels like the other gears where fine. Today I climber unerneath to take a loon at the couple like was recommended, by the way that photo you include saved me hours of looking. Thank you so much. Anyways while underneath I had my buddy shift into the different gears and the couple looks fine, meaning the round piece that is supposed to stay fixed was fixed and not moving. Maybe the coupler could still be the issue? but it looks to be working correctly. We pushed the bus out in the street and fired it up and gave it a try. It started right up and shifted into 1st with no issue. Off I went, then second was no problem but when I tried to shift it into 3rd, no luck if I finessed it and got it in gear it would be 1st gear and not 3rd. 4th gear was the same problem I could not get it into 4th but if I worked it it would go into a gear but it would be 1st gear. Very strange. So I decided to try adjusting the shifter base in the bus at the base of the stick shift. There a 2 bolts and you can loosen them and move the unit forward or backward. I tried several different placements and could never solve the issue. Still no reverse, no 3rd and no 4th. There is no grinding smoke or strange noises or smells. I still think it may need to be finely adjusted at the shift base unit forward or backward?

Any other thougths or suggestions? Thanks a bunch you guys are all great for helping!

[mintonman]

If you read the end of my post with the coupler picture you'll read that my problem was identical. I would just order a coupler & change it, the shifter doens't need that much FINE tuning to be able to hit all gears and the whole coupler should rotate clockwise and counter clockwise as you move the shifter to the right for 3rd & 4th gears or to the left for reverse and if it's not rotating it will only got into 1st & 2nd because the shifter doesn't have to move side to side for these gears, just foward & backwards. Here's pwilsons thread about removing the coupler, you might need this info http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=265311
_________________
Hoockd on fonicks werkt for mee?
under the influance "DUH"

[jaredmarcucci]

OK, thanks. I will report back. I am going to remove the coupler and put a new one in and see what happens. I think that should work, like you said. Do you recommend any retailers fr getting the coupler? Also I read the link that you sent me about the coupler which is very helpful. Do you have any tipps for making the job easier? or any must know details in doing this job?

Thanks

[pwilson]

I got mine from German Supply.

shift coupler

I was very pleased.
Like I said, my old one was not easy to remove. I ended up using a dremel to cut the little box apart and to cut off one end of the pin. After that, and some more penetrating oil, I alternated between pulling with a vice grip and pushing (read: beating, smashing, pounding...) with a hammer and drift. I found it easier to rotate the shift rod with the shifter disconnected up front also.

I think that about does it. Just ask if you run into trouble.

Phil

[jaredmarcucci]

I want to thank you guys for your diagnosis and help. Sure enough the coupler was damaged. It did not appear damaged initially but once I really go in there and had a good look I found the problem. Anyways. Thanks! a lot!