Shift elbow drilled out?

[ProbablyNotIan]

This weekend, we did a full overhaul of the shifter system. When we installed the GoWesty shift elbow, we noticed that the old shift elbow had a bolt that went through the top and threaded into the bottom instead of using a roll pin. At the time, we didn't think much about it (the focus was more on that fricking pin).

We put it all up, install everything, and start working on the alignment. That's when we realized the hole in the shift rod was bigger than the roll pin and almost all of the movement was being taken up by that.

After pulling everything back off and removing the GoWesty elbow, it would appear that the shift rod and elbow were drilled and tapped.

Either that or there was a weird case where the elbow didn't use a roll pin that I can find no record of? Maybe it's an aftermarket elbow?

Here are some pictures:

Any ideas?
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The Brown Van

Senior Platform Engineer | USSF Grassroots Educator | USSF National C License

[MarkWard]

I have read of them wearing and owners get creative. If you have a welder friend, it could be easily welded and redrilled. Or you could shift it forward or backwards and drill a new hole. Make up the difference in the spline section. Bummer, but not the end of the world.

[Sodo]

see this post: Vanagon REAR shifter slop

You could split one leg of the VW elbow for a pinch-clamp arrangement.

Everyone who has pounded out that roll pin should do this because it's a lot easier to service the shift rod.

I don't remember if the original pin is 5mm or 6mm. If it's 5mm then perhaps the cup can be simply threaded
But it looks like yours is drilled for an M8 bolt.
I'm pretty sure there's space inside the VW cup for an M8 bolt-head.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[ProbablyNotIan]

[MarkWard]

I thought you were attempting to fit an aftermarket GW shift elbow. My mistake. I’m not familiar with the clamping style, but without some splines wouldn’t trust it to stay in position.

[Sodo]

[ProbablyNotIan]

[MarkWard]

I’m guessing you don’t have a friend that’s a welder. Would be much quicker vs return shipping, credits, more shipping turn around time etc. Even someone with torches could braze or weld it up. The holes don’t need to be completely filled. Just enough to drill back to the correct size for the pin.

[vanis13]

[vanis13]

[vanis13]

[ProbablyNotIan]

[vanis13]

[do.dah]

Just an fyi, I recently bought the delux GW shifter rebuild kit;

https://gowesty.com/products/shifter-system-overha...3253566832

My shifting WAS wonderful. My only real issue was the rod bushings would occasionally cake up with either mud or ice cuz I didn't have the bellows.
Also, I have tired of replacing the ball and cup boot/gaiter along with the boot/gaiter on the shift shaft outta the tranny.

I feel the kit is well put together, and the delux elbow/cup just seems to be a far better design than OEM. And I'm hoping the bellows/boots/gaiters will last for more than a year or 2???

But dammit, for the life of me, I cannot get the shifting clocked correctly. I've NEVER had an issue with getting the shift rods clocked before. But something is amiss now..
Before installing the kit, I measured and compared all my old parts to the new parts. My original ball and cup/elbow was quite worn and fit together very sloppily.

I can only think, that the new boots/gaiters and bellows are so stiff and tight, that they're mucking up my shifting? Or, perhaps I slightly bent the ears while replacing the plastic tabs? Or, or??

Anyhoo, just a cautionary tale, if something is working, DON"T GO FIXING IT!!

[Sodo]

[ProbablyNotIan]

[MarkWard]

Ok, I think we agree not to modify the current GW one. It likely has value for trade with GW or to another member.

Ive always run stock shifter parts. They work pretty well for me. Aftermarket parts often look pretty, but what problem do they solve? This is across the entire aftermarket business for all makes. We spend a lot of time making aftermarket parts work.

While probably not high on your list, reassemble the stock part as was. Maybe some green Loctite and call it a day if it was working before.

Having made a living fixing cars, nothing is more frustrating than coming across what should be a straightforward repair and finding someone has been there before and the parts as ordered won’t work. That’s why I was placing emphasis on repairing the stock shaft. Tom is pretty smart and in no way was I suggesting hack repairs. I also stated I was unfamiliar with a clamping elbow and like the ujoint splines would work better in a clamping fix. Obviously if it’s through bolted that’s not going to slip.

[Sodo]

[MsTaboo]

Seems to me the easiest solution is to use the new pinch clamp style of GW Deluxe Elbow. Since it's just a chunk of machined aluminum there should be sufficient material to tap the threaded center hole to fit the larger diameter center bolt to match the larger hole in the shift rod.

The four pinch bolts will hold it securely.
https://gowesty.com/products/shifter-selector-leve...5445917861

Maybe give GW a call about the idea of tapping the center hole and how quickly they can ship to your address.

Or you might look for a sleeve to insert into the shift rod to enable the use of the correct size bolt supplied with the elbow.
_________________
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'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec

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[Sodo]

GoWesty is nuts
Two different products on one page, might be efficient for the web guy.
But for the sales manager, the confusion = sales decrease.
The confused customer buys nothing.

Looks like its threaded for M6.

Ian/Not would have to re-thread the deluxe to M8 to center it on his 8mm shift rod hole.
Maybe could just thru-drill 8mm and put a nut on the bottom.

being in-hand,,,, #4 is still the most efficient method to get shifting in topshape.
_________________


'90 Westy EJ25, NEW oil rings (!) 2Peloquins, 3knobs, SyncroShop pressure-oiled pinion-bearing & GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox.
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered original gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb