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ifollowtheturtles
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2007
Posts: 35
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 Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:54 am Post subject: Shift Extender Ruins Transmissions? |
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My mechanic pulled my car out of the bay the other day, hopped out and said "You know that shift extender is gonna ruin your transmission. If VW would have intended it to be there it would have been".
I did not get much more from him at the moment as I was in a big hurry, but I am now of course wondering....
I am talking about the 3 inch or so extender on the manual 4spd Vanagon (91). Anyone wanna take this one on?
The extender is awesome and I will part with it if need be, but wanna see what you all think.
Thanks,
Adam |
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dixoncj
Samba Member
Joined: June 17, 2004
Posts: 1083
Location: Charleston, SC
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:58 am Post subject: |
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| I never heard that. Can't quite see how it's even possible. If VW had done everything right, they wouldnt' have allowed Westfalia to create a rear closet on westy cabinets that couldnt be opened unless you pulled out the table. I've used an extender w/no problems. |
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j_dirge
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:05 am Post subject: Re: Shift Extender Ruins Transmissions? |
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| ifollowtheturtles wrote: |
The extender is awesome and I will part with it if need be, but wanna see what you all think.
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The only way this could add strain on your transmission is that the added length of the shifting arm means more leverage meaning more forces are applied downstream.
So possibly you might stretch cables more.. add a bit more stress to the linkages.. but if you shift gently.. and I think I do now that the extender puts my arm in a more relaxed postion, I can't honestly see how the extender hurts in anyway.
Now.. if you're the type to use a closed fist to shift.. and or have a tendency to jam it into place.. then yeah.. some more wear and tear is likely.
But my own observations is that the added length results in a softer touch needed.
Seems a wash to me.
_________________
-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
| danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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90Doka_Guy
Samba Member
Joined: April 08, 2007
Posts: 548
Location: South Jersey
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 am Post subject: |
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Didn't VW intend to use the 3-4 slider that they used in the late model transmissions? Look how that turned out.
You know how you're not supposed to rest your hand on the shifter while its in gear? My guess is that the mechanic thinks that the added weight of the lever is kinda like resting your hand on the shifter. Really though, if thats his reasoning I think its a bunch of hogwash.
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-'87 Westy
-'90 Tintop
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Steelhead
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1791
Location: Kentfield, CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:49 am Post subject: |
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| dixoncj wrote: |
| ...If VW had done everything right, they wouldnt' have allowed Westfalia to create a rear closet on westy cabinets that couldnt be opened unless you pulled out the table. |
...or "bumpers" made of epoxy glass
...or driver's side seat swivels in a westy
...or...??
(could make for an interesting thread)
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'77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper) |
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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stretch connecting rod bolts in the 2.1
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Tencentlife said,
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1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
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Dogpilot
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Joined: October 03, 2005
Posts: 4205
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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Or give it the aerodynamics of Arnold Schwarzenegger's head....
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Franklinstower
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Joined: September 21, 2006
Posts: 1895
Location: PNW
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject: |
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| Keane wrote: |
Didn't VW intend to use the 3-4 slider that they used in the late model transmissions? Look how that turned out.
You know how you're not supposed to rest your hand on the shifter while its in gear? My guess is that the mechanic thinks that the added weight of the lever is kinda like resting your hand on the shifter. Really though, if thats his reasoning I think its a bunch of hogwash. |
If i leave my hand on my shifter the tranny whines, as soon as I take it off, no whine.
I have heard the shift extender bull before too, I don't have my mind made up yet since I have never had an extender. But, Since my tranny whines with my hand, I won't be putting any added presure like an extender on it.
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'89 Westy - EJ25/22 Frank 4.44 5mt
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levi
Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2005
Posts: 5522
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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I vote crappola.
Imagine adding a 2 foot extension, and if you grab the handle at the middle when shifting you have the same leverage, and are applying the same force to the components. Nothing would change.
Adding the extension allows you to put more force, *if you want to*, but that force would only be applied to the shift linkage components anyway.
So adding the extension just allows you use less force at your hand, to apply the same exact force at the working end.
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82WestyMan
Samba Member
Joined: December 28, 2006
Posts: 1098
Location: Western OR
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Dogpilot wrote: |
| Or give it the aerodynamics of Arnold Schwarzenegger's head.... |
Now there's a poll I'd like to see...
"What has the worst aerodynamics?"
A - Arnold's Head
B - Brick on it side
C - Vanagon
(probably too close to call...)
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vw7266
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2004
Posts: 3038
Location: the point, ohio
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Did you consult with your insurance company before installing this? it may compromise your safety and insurance coverage |
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vwjedi
Samba Member
Joined: November 29, 2005
Posts: 1463
Location: G-ville, FL - hopefully on a trail.
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject: Re: Shift Extender Ruins Transmissions? |
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So possibly you might stretch cables more..
What are these cables you speak of? There are no cables in or linking to my manual trans.
I think this mechanic found it hard to shift your vanagon, what he meant to say was : "if I keep grinding your gears into reverse i'm gonnal kill your transmission" 
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1987 Wolfsburg T25 still riding out. A bunch of other VW's passed on... |
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j_dirge
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 4641
Location: Twain Harte, CA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: Shift Extender Ruins Transmissions? |
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| vwjedi wrote: |
So possibly you might stretch cables more..
What are these cables you speak of? There are no cables in or linking to my manual trans.
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Sorry.. not cables.. rods.
Lazy terminology.
_________________
-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.
-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5
| danfromsyr wrote: |
those are straight line runs with light weight race cars for only 1/4mile at a time..
not pushing a loaded brick up a mountain pass with a family of 4+ inside expecting to have an event free vacation..
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gears
Samba Member
Joined: October 28, 2002
Posts: 4391
Location: Tamarack, Bend, Kailua
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| Posted: Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Adam ... Your mechanic is in a daze. He was confusing the extension with a "short shift kit", which can promote synchro teeth wear by rushing the shift. Your extension is actually a "long shift kit", which merely makes it easier to reach the knob (and it actually slows down the shifting a tad). |
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insyncro
Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002
Posts: 15086
Location: New York
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:22 am Post subject: |
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| complete BS. |
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tencentlife
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2006
Posts: 10077
Location: Abiquiu, NM, USA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:50 am Post subject: |
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Utter nonsense.
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RCB
Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005
Posts: 4143
Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:00 am Post subject: |
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| Pure bol-der-dash. Just hadda sneak that one in...not sure how my spellin is gonna be treated by the purists but go ahead and make my day. |
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240Gordy
Samba Member
Joined: May 15, 2008
Posts: 2354
Location: Vancouver, BC
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:04 am Post subject: |
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| RCB wrote: |
| Pure bol-der-dash. Just hadda sneak that one in...not sure how my spellin is gonna be treated by the purists but go ahead and make my day. |
WE'LL LET IT GO THIS TIME.
_________________
Tencentlife said,
"So, now that you know what you're doing, go to town."
2010 GOLF TRENDLINE 2.5
1985 GL now with more! a 2.1L
H&R SPORT(RED) Springs FRONT , SLAM SPECIALTIES RE6 AIRBAGS REAR |
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Steelhead
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2007
Posts: 1791
Location: Kentfield, CA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:00 am Post subject: |
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malarky
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'77 Bay Window / '89 Caratsburg (aka. the Stormtrooper) |
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Irishcalifornian
Samba Member
Joined: September 08, 2016
Posts: 167
Location: CaliWestyfornia
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| Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2021 9:46 am Post subject: Re: Shift Extender Ruins Transmissions? |
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I have had two different VW mechanics tell me that the extender does cause damage. I love the GoWesty extender.
If this was true (that it causes damage) then why would they sell it?
I just bought the GoWesty Shifter System Overhaul Bundle and I want to get this matter right.
Is it a myth or a fact that an extender on the manual shifter is not good/causes damage?
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