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70Crew
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006
Posts: 776
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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 Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 3:24 am Post subject: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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Has anyone used this reproduction front shift rod?
http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211711155d
Both the pin slot and bowl surface of mine are worn, which is making for a fair amount of slop. However, the tolerances are pretty tight so I don't want to just trade a worn OG part with a poorly fitting replacement.
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16883
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 5:05 am Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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have you seen this?
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=661891&highlight=shifter
I have yet to find a badly worn front pipe, not to say it couldn't happen. check the shifter first.
I assume that you have all new bushings/coupler etc on your bus now?
and, no feedback on the WW part. you can weld the slot and file as needed so the pin is snug, but check to see if the pin is worn
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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70Crew
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006
Posts: 776
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 5:41 am Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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Yep.... that's what got me started down this path. 
I don't have a welder and have no logical way to make an accurate cut if I have that slot welded up, so it is easier to buy a new one. The pin on the shifter is in good shape. The side of the bowl is noticeably worn past the smooth surface and into a rougher sub-surface in the back wall.... not enough to make it dysfunctional, just sloppy with a little roughness.
I've replaced the rear coupler and front bushings, but not the rear bushings. I may be pulling the motor Wednesday (with Robbie's help) in which case we would do the remaining bushings.
I have 4 shifters, and all 4 of them have worn flat spots on the collars. I'll probably have one of those welded and try to file it down per your prior comments.
When I put the engine in it was shifting fine. After a couple weeks I had trouble downshifting into second, then started having intermittent trouble getting first or second. Same result with engine on or off. At this point I am assuming it is a combination of poor adjustment and wear that is causing the issues, hence the original search. Yes, I too want to "shift my bus with my pinky".
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16883
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 5:57 am Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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the big thing is that collar on the shifter...
when worn out, stuffing the lock plate up to the flat spot is really pushing the shifter a bit past the 1/2 detent, and almost into reverse. so basically, the shift rails in the transmission are not 100% aligned for the 1-2 shift, and subsequently rotating the shift rails into reverse.
honestly, I NEVER stuff any manual into first, unless I am dam near stopped. it's just a thing that I have 
I would ask WW where it's made. it could very well be VW of brasil, which may not be *too* bad.
did you push the pin out of the shifter? take a measurement at the base where the spring is...I have found them to be worn .002 and in extreme cases .005. the pin, in all honesty is just to keep the shifter from rotating in the bowl, but it is kind of important as the shifter has that bend in it unlike a split window where it's just a long straight stick, and the pin isn't used
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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70Crew
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006
Posts: 776
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:13 am Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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| Quote: |
| honestly, I NEVER stuff any manual into first, unless I am dam near stopped. it's just a thing that I have |
Same here.
| Quote: |
| I would ask WW where it's made. it could very well be VW of brasil, which may not be *too* bad. |
It says on their site that they manufacture it.
| Quote: |
| did you push the pin out of the shifter? take a measurement at the base where the spring is...I have found them to be worn .002 and in extreme cases .005. the pin, in all honesty is just to keep the shifter from rotating in the bowl, but it is kind of important as the shifter has that bend in it unlike a split window where it's just a long straight stick, and the pin isn't used |
The shifters I have all have pins that are still peened in place. They move freely against their springs. I am assuming that it is better to leave the peening intact rather than try and get it out. You mentioned the wear at the base of the pin near the spring.... I would have thought that the wear would happen along the exposed shaft of the pin where it rubs against the walls of the slot in the bowl?
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16883
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:54 am Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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the pin just taps out.
that bore the pin sits in can get egged out too, so even if the pin is solid in the slot, you can get some rotational movement in the shift lever if the pin bore is worn out
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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SGKent 
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 41031
Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 8:07 am Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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Hoody found some NOS German VW bus shifters, late bay ipe bowl etc., and associated parts in Europe at a reasonable price. I don't know if he has any left or how many he found.
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70Crew
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006
Posts: 776
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 8:19 am Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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| SGKent wrote: |
| Hoody found some NOS German VW bus shifters, late bay ipe bowl etc., and associated parts in Europe at a reasonable price. I don't know if he has any left or how many he found. |
PM sent to Hoody, thanks Steve.
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airschooled
Air-Schooled
Joined: April 04, 2012
Posts: 12728
Location: on a bike ride somewhere
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 7:55 pm Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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Alright. Sorry 70crew, I have to post this. I'm getting flash backs from Bowser's castle. (Ask your son if you need help with the reference.......)
Link
Showed up at 9am. Had the engine and transaxle out by 10. Took this video at 10:30 of the rear shift rod binding.
Anyway, it shifts like a dream now. 
Robbie
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wcfvw69
Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13389
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 8:23 pm Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=656665&highlight=
70 crew- I had an issue down shifting into 2nd and occasionally finding second gear in my bus. It has a rebuilt transmission, new rear shift coupler and new front bushing on the shift rod.
As this thread shows, I had a craptastic Chinese shift plate. I got lucky and found a NOS BUS shift plate and it made a massive difference in how my bus shifted. I can find all gears perfectly. The throw or distance between 1st and 2nd and 3rd and 4th is much shorter as well.
The bus shifts perfectly now. Best $ I spent.
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Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
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**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
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aeromech
Samba Member
Joined: January 24, 2006
Posts: 16971
Location: San Diego, California
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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My Berg shifter is sweet
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Brian
Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012
Posts: 8340
Location: Oceanside
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2016 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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If we're still talking about that shift rod thingy from WW, I used it and it worked just fine. No issues at all.
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70Crew
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2006
Posts: 776
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
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| Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2016 3:57 am Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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| Quote: |
| Alright. Sorry 70crew, I have to post this. |
That's it, I'm revoking your wifi privileges.
| Quote: |
| Showed up at 9am. Had the engine and transaxle out by 10. |
Amazing what happens when you give Robbie a cup of coffee before you start.
| Quote: |
| As this thread shows, I had a craptastic Chinese shift plate. I got lucky and found a NOS BUS shift plate and it made a massive difference in how my bus shifted. |
Fortunately I have an OG shift plate but thanks for the tip.
| Quote: |
| If we're still talking about that shift rod thingy from WW, I used it and it worked just fine. No issues at all. |
Thanks! I may get one eventually but it shifts great now. Pulled the front and rear shift rods, cleaned the tube, and replaced all the shift bushings. As Robbie so nicely illustrated, the front (middle) shift bushing was horrible. Between that and the clean clutch disk (long story) this thing drives like a new car. Well, almost. We are never done, right?
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16883
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2016 6:52 am Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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| aeromech wrote: |
| My Berg shifter is sweet |
p/m sent
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
|
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| Back to top |
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Brian
Samba Moderator
Joined: May 28, 2012
Posts: 8340
Location: Oceanside
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| Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2016 11:41 am Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| aeromech wrote: |
| My Berg shifter is sweet |
p/m sent |
secrets don't make friends, guys
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Wash your hands
'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper
Only losers litter |
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wcfvw69
Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13389
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2016 12:06 pm Post subject: Re: Wolfsburg West front shift rod quality/fit? |
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| Brian wrote: |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| aeromech wrote: |
| My Berg shifter is sweet |
p/m sent |
secrets don't make friends, guys |
Maybe they don't consider you a friend?!?!
_________________
Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc
Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.
**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours** |
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