Shift Lever Noise

[sjbartnik]

Hey all, just something I've been wondering about and finally getting around to asking: is there supposed to be any kind of noise-attenuating buffer in the shift lever or mount?

Reason I ask is my shifting has always been noisy, the lever clunks against the mount (either that or it's the ball in the socket), especially going from 2-3 or 3-2. I figured it was normal but then seeing videos of people driving their VWs they seem to have silent shifting.

The shift rod bushing is good and the noise is definitely coming from the lever/ball/socket area and not the transmission. Shifting is otherwise smooth and normal, I'm just wondering if I'm missing some kind of part or bushing or whatever that might go between ball and socket at the base of the lever.

Here's a video.


Link

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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[RedSquare]

I don't know if its good or not, but my car makes the same sounds. Perhaps both cars are normal, or perhaps both are not. For what its worth my car ('68 squareback, all stock) shifts smoothly through all gears with the exception of the downshift from 3 to 2. From 3 to 2, I have to let the rpms drop quite a bit or I get grinding for this downshift. Other downshifts are fine. Just 3 to 2.


Link

[pedro sainz]

[Erik G]

[Bobnotch]

[sjbartnik]

Ohhhh that's interesting. Though I have to say I'm pretty sure this noise has existed since I've owned the car, and that was before I replaced the seat belts. Also I think I re-used the hardware when I put the new buckles in on the tunnel (the seat belts that were in it when I bought it were OG VW stuff, just later).

That said, easy enough to remove them to test!

(Also, I like that you can hear my still-working clock re-wind itself in the video)
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[RedSquare]

I also have replacement seat belts. Will be interested to know if changing the bolts makes the noise go away.

[sjbartnik]

[mdege]

The shifter gets noisy when the front bushing falls apart.

This is the part I mean:

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- Michael

1965 21F: Restoration of a former '65 firetruck
1963 Typ3 Notchback project
1988 Multivan Magnum 112i
1984 Standard: My son wanted a bug for his first car

[sjbartnik]

The bushing is always my go-to but the bushing is new, tight, and good and the hole for it in the bracket is not ovaled out.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[Erik G]

[nogoodwithusernames]

Is it possible that the ball and socket are somewhat worn causing a bit of play right below the shifter?
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71 Squareback, 1.7l T4 w/ crank trigger fuel and spark
(Conversion thread https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=732508&highlight= or https://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=151375&sid=f0542d44a322d290c29d6609fac7f215 )
74 914, 2.0L w/ D-Jet

-Derek

[sjbartnik]

Yep the shift coupler is good with proper good rubber in it; haven’t seen any evidence to suggest any issues with the reverse light switch; trans mounts are good.

Wear on the ball/socket is certainly a possibility. The sound definitely appears to come from that area. That was part of the reason I posted the question - is this something that typically appears with wear in that area or is it like this when new?
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[sjbartnik]

Just to update, tried out Pedro's suggestion and removed the seat belt bolts from the tunnel, sadly that was not the issue.

The sounds are definitely coming from the base of the shift lever so one of these days I'll dig into it, but it's possible that it's just worn. I was curious as to whether anyone knew if there was ever some kind of rubber or plastic bushing between the ball at the end of the lever and the socket in the shift rod to avoid that kind of metal-to-metal contact/noise. I don't see anything like that in the parts book but thought I'd check.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[Bobnotch]