Shift Rod Weirdness and Problems

[Oil Phil-M]

Went to change the shift rod bushings in my 72 last week and what I have seems to be different from every description and picture I see.

The frontmost bushing on the rear rod has only one hole and the bushing has alot of play when in the tube. The rear bushing has two mounting holes, is a bit more beefier and supports a metal ring on the inside to give more support in the tube.

Bentley, the CIP site and website descriptions on how to install the bushings all show or talk about the bigger metal ring bushing being the front most bushing on the rear rod. I dropped the drive train a second time to make sure I didn't goof up it can't go together any other way than what I have. Ended up slipping a pre '66 bushing at the front opening of the tube to stop the side to side slop as it can be put on or off easily.

The real problem though is that I'm having a hell of a time trying to get the shifter to work now. It all worked before without a problem, the only real change was getting the tranny rebuilt by a VW Van specialist. I have been able to engage all of the gears but it requires the shift plate to be moved around. I'll get 1-2 working well but not 3-4 or the other way around. Have done a search and picked up info by a number of sources on how to dial in the plate but none of them seem to have solved the problem yet despite playing with the shifter plate for a few hours. I just can't seem to find the plate position where I can shift into all the gears without a problem. The worst seems to be after comming out of reverse, I can't select any gear for a bit.

I'm thinking the tight tranny might be be showing up a weakness with the shift rod system somewhere. The shift plate doesn't look too bad but the local supplier is out of plates to even try a new one. Does have an aluminum quick shift kit as before and shows no signs of wear. Disappointed with the amount of slop with the new pin bushing on the front of the front shift rod. Shift coupler is urethane and is tight as is the bushing for the short 72 only extra rear rod. Coupler pin set screws are all positioned correctly and tight.

Any insights would be appreciated.

[vw donvieira]

I too rebuilt my trans and shift rod bushings (even added a 3rd bushing). My shifter has been "slipping" off the shift rod "cup" now. The pin in the shifter seems to be placed too high on the shifter as it barely sets into the rod cup groove. I am considering welding another pin just below it but am not sre if it will cause any problems.