Vanagon Shifter - Close but no cigar

[rjamesohio]

Hello all -

First off - I've read what I believe are ALL of the threads on adjusting a stock shifter on a 1980 Vanagon. I've read these posts - the Bentley Manual - and other forums. I have layed under the van several times and repeated the steps, focusing mostly on Chris from T3's method.

I appreciate all of the previous attempts to document the process, but have not achieved Nirvana and this is the last item needed before I can move the van under it's own power for the first time in 25 years!

Here are the symptons:

I HAVE been able to manually shift the transmission with the shift rods dis-connected. This would indicate the problem is NOT internal to the transaxle.

Any gear that you need to move the lever towards the rear of the vehicle - meaning 2nd and 4th - are selectable. They engage fine.

Any gear that you need to move the lever towards the FRONT of the vehicle - meaning R, 1st and 3rd - will NOT snick into gear. If you position the gear selector in these positions and let out the clutch - you start to get grinding noises. Like the dogs are not lining up properly.

I painted the forward shift rod section, so you can clearly see where the two rods should end up for and aft. With the joint loosened between those two, there is not much rotational movement between the two sections of rods.

Since the problem is limited to the 3 forward position gears, one may surmise that the overall length is simply not long enough to get the shifter into position. i haved tried lengthening the rod over where the paint marks are since that would move the gear selector further. No Joy howevr.

I consider myself fairly mechanical, but am ready to take this to a shop and say Uncle.

Before I do so - any input?

Thanks in advance.

Ron James
937-271-5697