Shift rod bushing - how to?

[Smurf]

Who’s tried the brass bushing from the classifieds? Do you like it? I’m sure you still have to grease up the shift rod but the brass bushing seems to be worry free
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1962 Beetle
1977 Westfalia (Subaru Conversion)

"Traveling in a fried-out Kombi
On a hippie trail head full of zombie"
-Men at Work

[60ragtop]

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=
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Rick
Certified Mechanic by the State of Michigan in 1977
ASA certified in 1987
Certified Hunter Wheel Alignment Master Technician 1986

[iowegian]

I decided that I couldn't put it off any longer, so I replaced the shift rod coupler the other day.
Before I could even take it for a drive, I happened to talk to a friend (retired factory trained VW mechanic) and he insisted that I MUST also replace the bushing up front by the shifter. I told him it looked like a tougher job than I wanted to get into. He wouldn't take "no" for an answer and 1 hour (50 miles) later he was on my doorstep. It took him less than an hour to disassemble the coupler, pull the shift rod out the front, replace the bushing and put it all back together-----oh, I removed and reinstalled the front bumper.
No doubt this is the best thing that has happened to this car in the 17 years we have owned it. It is now far and away the best driving VW I have ever owned.

[Cusser]

[iowegian]

[EverettB]

[noxqcz]

Hi, I have 1961 beetle that my Dad bought used in 1963 ( I was 8 years old ) from the VW dealership where he worked, I inherited the car on his passing in 2013. I have restored the car back mostly to stock form. Last time I drove the car I had a little problem with the shifting so I decided to check the shift rod bushing and coupling. I have no idea if they have ever been changed. After removing the shifter I could see what looked like cracks around the edge of the bushing so I thought is was bad. I removed the shift rod, popped out the bushing, it had no clip and the cracks look like they are made in the bushing. All the replacement bushings look nothing like this one, I have read about the earlier bushings not having a clip and thought maybe this was one of them. It will be replaced with a new one. Just curious about the one I took out. I have seen no pictures of one like this. Any ideas? Thanks

[KTPhil]

I thought that looked familiar, maybe a 1-year only early version, but searching comes up empty. The rear Bus couplers have that floral/finger style on one end, but not both.

[noxqcz]

Thanks, the mystery continues......

[EVfun]

If I recall, my 1960 Bug did not have a clip around the shift bushing.

A quick trip to "Progressive Refinements" in the Frame section shows that the clip was added to the shift rod bushing on Aug. 3, 1961 at frame number 4027316. The plastic bushing started being used on June 11, 1960 at frame number 3140046.
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[mynameismud]

I had removed the shift rod a few weeks ago and I was dreading this task but today was the day I decided to plan on at "least" a 2 hr. install for a new bushing and coupler by myself. Surprised this only took 20mins.
I compressed the plastic bushing with a rubber band so, I could slide it into the bracket with my finger and once it was in, I carefully removed the band to let it expand in grove. Like others said, greased the bushing and slid the rod in to the opening, making sure all was aligned then went to front and pushed firmly in. Went and greased, pushed in, back and forth etc. til rod was all the way back. It honestly took me longer to get the coupling sleeve installed into coupler. I made sure grub screw hole was facing in the correct upright direction and then turned coupler to insert the sleeve and then rotated to get bolt into other side.
Im sure something else will take 10Xs as long to make up for it.
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[Big Bill]

Been there, Done that . It took me about 3 or 4 hours but I wasnt in too much of a hurry, getting everthing out of the way took the most time. The PVC pipe helped getting the shift rod back where it blonged.

[pastellgreen]

[Ricks63rag]

I'm ready to reinstall my shift rod hanger with new bushing. My question is could I possibly reinstall my new hanger without welding? I'm not a welder so I'm looking for suggestions. I tried the wire coat hanger almost worked but gets stuck in rear of car.

[Cusser]

If you mean this:

haven't some used bolts and nuts ???
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1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297

[EVfun]

[Dan22]

Or, glue it up with super glue or JB weld! Hold it in place with bolts until cured, then bolt it up. I bet it would last.

Or, some countersunk self tapping screws!
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1-0900722 die langsame grüne Schildkröte
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=765074

[67rustavenger]

Ricks63rag,
Depending on the size of the holes, after removing the spot welds from the hanger.
You could pop rivet the hanger in place.

Welding it would be ideal though.
There has to be a neighbor near you that has a flux core welder in their garage.

I have rented a flux core welder from a rental agency in the past. It produced, ugly, but serviceable welds. After grinding they looked ok.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Pruneman99]

[classicbug]

Was having difficulties shifting -- I came to this all-knowing fountain of knowledge (and YouTube) -- decided I needed to tackle this job.
I *thought* it would be a relatively simple project--(that was four days, knuckle skin, blood, and curse words ago!)

- Issue one, couldn't get shift rod out unless bumper was removed. Solved

- Issue two, suffered bodily injury attempting to push new bushing into place. Tried greasing it. Tried slightly beveling the edges for easier entry to the bracket. No. Luck!

(Every time I work on this "1960" Beetle, I discover all sorts of history mystery! When doing the headliner, I noticed it had a sunroof -- the opening was been welded over)

I decided to inspect the bushing bracket (not easy since I don't own a tiny periscope-thingy). From the photos, it appears as if someone welded a big-arse washer where the bracket used to be. I was able to retrieve the old bushing--I *assume* it was once in place and "working" properly, but who knows. Interestingly, the diameter is approximately the same size as a new one, so why-oh-why can't I push the bushing into place!!!
Other than throwing in the towel and leaving to the pros, (probably $1,000 repair), anyone have suggestions for a resolution? Yes, I have considered pushing the car off of a boat dock and purchasing a reliable Honda Accord instead.

(BTW, when I attempted to put the rod back in place (I was going to use it as a ram-rod to push the bushing), I realized the only way to get it to slide back in was to jack up the front end of the car a few inches. The car has been lowered to the extent that clearance through the openings for the rod is impeded.

I'm stuck! HELP. ME. PLEASE

!!!