Shifter not going into 1 or 2 any ideas?

[igotta40]

Our 1973 bay window has been shifting just fine since we got it in 2014, suddenly today it won’t go into 1 or 2. R, 3 & 4 are fine. When I mess with it and push/pull the gear stick long enough it will eventually go into first, then 2,3,4 as always, then at the next stop, same thing again.

I’m hoping it’s something minor like a loose grub screw maybe? Anyone had similar problems?

As always, helpful suggestions are welcome, thanks!

[Wildthings]

Pilot bearings fail suddenly and cause problems with trying to get the tranny into gear at a stop. If the tranny will go into gear easier with the engine off then the pilot bearing is a likely cause. The 1-2 slider can also fail though this is fairly rare.

If you think it might be a loose grub screw, why not just crawl underneath and check it to see?

[crownline]

Check the bushing under the splash pan. When was the last time you took the shifter out and cleaned and lubricated it?
_________________
1972 Bus 1700 cc Single Carb. But not a progressive.
Barelymuvin
Wish I still had the ones I got rid of.

"It"s got some dings and dents and neither of us is going to SEMA."(Update, I went to SEMA in 2019 but the Bus stayed home)
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[sodbuster]

Check the shift coupler cage. Make sure the portion of the coupler that the grub screw threads into. And the cage portion of the coupler are not twisting independent of each other. If they twist independently of each other replace the cage portion of the coupler.

[igotta40]

Last summer we replaced the bushings and boots, the coupling at the transmission, cleaned and painted the rods/hockey stick, repaired the worn spot on the original shifter (the aftermarket one looked like junk, we sent it back) and greased everything. The shifting was more precise, less rubbery and vague. We did all that because it kept popping out of reverse.

It seems like 1&3 and 2&4 are really close together, unlike other tranny shifters I’ve owned. But it’s the only VW I’ve had.

[sodbuster]

[alman72]

if you cleaned things up last year, that means your bolts were out. possible that you had a recent shift in the adjustment plate due to not tight fasteners?

[igotta40]

Yes, thanks for the suggestions, I will get into it as soon as I can get it in my shop. I’ll advise what I find.

[alman72]

[Wildthings]

Some of the shift coupling cages are just crimped into place and will slip out of position over time. A tack weld between the cage and the hub is all that is needed to set them straight.

[sodbuster]