Vanagon sometimes hard to shift into first gear

[monoturbo]

I have a 1985 Vanagon Westfalia that is sometimes hard to shift into first gear. I can usually force it, but sometimes it is a little tough, especially when at a stoplight with other cars behind me.

When it becomes hard to shift into 1st, it usually helps to put it into 2nd, then back to 1st, but not always. Double clutching doesn't seem to help. Also, when it is exhibiting this problem, my neutral feels a bit hung-up, not as loose as normal.

At one point a couple of years ago, the original engine was swapped for a Subaru EJ25, and at that time the transmission was swapped with a known good VW transmission. The shifting behaved the same way with both engine/transmission combos.

I've searched the forum and tried a few things I found here, such as:

- greased the linkage with NAPA Sil-Glyde
- adjusted the shift linkage per the Bentley manual, including aligning the upper bearing plate with the holes, loosened the shift rod clamp and adjusted shift rod so that the tabs are centered in the box underneath the shifter
- adjusted shift rod front and rear halves using vise grips per GoWesty article: https://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=178. When I did this, I found that one spline adjustment either way could no longer allow me to shift into first at all (I think it would go into third instead).
- adjusted plate on transmission that shift rod goes through, up and down

None of these things had any appreciable effect. I haven't replaced any parts so far, but I'm open to it. Any suggestions for what to try next?

[slomoracing]

How many miles are on your van?

Maybe check your shift ball and socket at the transmission, it’s an easy check. You will want to drop the elbow so you can inspect it for wear, it can get wallowed out.

Also the shift tabs wear and need maintenance. The kit isn’t too pricey and is easy. I’d start with the easily accessed and serviceable parts first.

On my 85’ the shift ball and socket were worn and causing similar issues. I used JB weld to fill in the worn out socket and it’s been loads better ever since. One day I’ll replace it.

[hardway]

Try overcoming the reverse detent to select first. If the shift guide is blocking first gear push the lever down to go a little past the guide. If that fixes it you may have a combination of war and adjustment causing the problem.

[Scottn59c]

I have the same problem on my '81. I sometimes have to force it into 1rst, particularly from a complete stop or when downshifting from second to 1rst.


I've just been living with it. I can't help you solve the problem, but I can share what I tried that had no effect either.

I put new shifter tabs on (or, rather a new tab - there's only one on the AC vans), and I bought the shifter kit from Go Westy with new bushings and ball. Made no difference. I have yet to monkey with the shift rod adjustment, but it sounds like you did to no effect.

So even though slomo's suggestions are good ones, I wasn't able to fix my hard shift into first with any of them.

I'll keep this thread bookmarked in case someone else comes up with a magic bullet.
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Farfignewton!

[nohabusguy]

I've had a similar problem with my DOKA, and throwing this out there knowing it may not apply. The mechanic who helps me went through a number of adjustments to try and sort it out when I first purchased it, and determined that the shifter bar is bent which is preventing it to go into first without a slight nudge to the left (ever so slightly) when easing it into first. After he mentioned it to me, I looked at the bar and indeed noticed it was bent slightly. I've gotten use to driving it this way and figure that some day fate and good karma will result in a run-in with a replacement bar I can swap in.
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1967 Double Cab
1967 21 Window Deluxe Bus
1989 Westy Syncro (Subaru 2.5, dreaming of installing a NAHT)
1990 Doka Syncro (WBX 2.1)

[davideric9]

The bracket that holds the shifter two the transmission is somewhat adjustable. Loosen the two bolts, push the bracket up and towards the transmission and while holding it in that position retighten the bolts. See if that helps.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[monoturbo]

Hi all, thanks for the suggestions. The van has about 186k miles, so lots of things are pretty worn on it.

I have tried the bracket adjustment, and it had no effect, but I can try a bit more. Also, I have replaced the shifter tabs (forgot to mention that), and that also had no effect.

I’ll try pushing down on the shifter a little when I’m experiencing the issue and see if that helps. I’ll also check out the shifter ball and socket, which is definitely something I have not looked at.

[rmcd]

Maybe another direction? My issue started when I loaded swepco 210. I have a rebuilt trans with less than 5000 miles. It was almost impossible to get into second or first when I start up. Once warm my trans shifts butter smooth.

I rebuilt and replaced most pieces of my shifter l8nkage without any impact.

I broke myself and haven’t had time to dump the swepco.

Could trans fluid impact your shifting?
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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight=

[davideric9]

drop the shift rod from the shift selector ball and see if you can shift by hand at the transmission. this should differentiate the problem to linkage or transmission.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[Tobias Duncan]

You might try bleeding the clutch slave cylinder

[MarkWard]

There is a smaller adjustment by moving the base of the shift lever when a spline is too much. The mounting holes are slotted. Mark where it is so you can put it back.

[monoturbo]

I didn't have tons of time this weekend, but I did remove the shift rod from the splined shaft at the transmission and was able to easily shift the transmission by hand. I looked at the shift ball and socket and the ball was flattened on the top and cracking. I think I will replace it and report back.

[monoturbo]

Also, shifting through the gears with the van in the driveway, it seems that pushing down on the shift lever when the problem occurs does overcome the issue. So does that imply I'm hitting the reverse detent in this scenario? What kind of adjustment can prevent that?

[a914622]

Yes oil make a big difference. If all the linkage is good I would try the oil approach. 2 parts castrol gear oil and one part dodge synthetic atf. The atf keeps the foam down and has a higher pressure brake down.

I have ran that formula since the 80 in most of my transaxles.

You might try sliding the base of the shifter to the passenger side about 1/8 inch at a time too.
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87 gl powerd buy 2.5subaru
75 914 getting 2.2t subaru scratch that SVX subaru

[MarkWard]

This comes up a lot. It’s best to crawl underneath and watch the base of the shift lever while someone operates it from inside. Then you have a visual of how it works.

It’s common to have 1st to close to reverse. Or not close enough. The back and forth position is not as critical as the side to side.

[teej]

[buspor63]

[atomatom]

[Ahwahnee]

[atomatom]

ha. that is a useful mod. even a dash led, maybe recycle the oxygen light. then again, hopefully my fears are all behind me now. slowly getting my trust back in the van. I know it'll be fleeting, but hopefully the family camping trip is without too much surprise.

my rear defroster switch is currently sent to the front radiator fan, to alleviate the stress of creeping around a campsite after coming off the highway.
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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.