First Bus, First week, First problem in traffic (ud. w/ pic)

way2krdn8d · Last edited by way2krdn8d on Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:50 pm; edited 2 times in total

Hi there, been sniffing around the forum for a while and now that I have my first bus (66 Split Walkthrough) as my only car, I have been on here a bit more. A couple of issues include my absolute novice-ness in all things auto mechanics, my worry about breaking something important and expensive, and lastly, owning a beauty like this one without a clue of what I'm doing with it.

Today, (day 3) I was cruzing around 30 mph in 3rd gear about to downshift for a stoplight when SURPRISE! the shifter was stuck and seemed jammed. Luckily I got it off the road without a hitch, but then I monkeyed with it for about 40 minutes trying to figure out if I should tug hard, move it around nice and easy hoping it would work it's way out, getting underneath and tracing the linkage to try and ID the problem. Tugging hard enough eventually got it unstuck, and then 2 miles later same thing in 3rd gear. Again tugged out and decided not to use 3rd gear and made it home. From what I've gathered in other forums piece-meal since I can't find anything specifically noting my problem, is that maybe it needs transmission oil, or the tube housing the linkage needs to be impregnated with grease.... any other ideas? Thank you in advance, and I look forward to learning more and becoming a fully fledged member of the community.

Sincerely,

Jason

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

SingleWheel · Samba Member Joined: April 08, 2004 Posts: 184

I'm betting you have an alignment problem with your shifter, or possible a bad shift coupler, or a bad hanger or missing plastic gromet thingy on the hanger. I've had that problem before. Look at where the shifter goes through the floor, underneath there is a hanger which should have a plastic gromet thing. Post pics, but I bet that's where your problem is.
_________________
Visit http://www.singlewheel.com

KarmannBob · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:25 pm Post subject:

Here's a great thread to get you started learning about your shifter parts.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=397065&highlight=shifter
_________________
'71 Ghia
'65 single cab
'57 pg/sg standard

way2krdn8d · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 7:35 pm Post subject:

Thank you both for your suggestions! Away I go...

gondiwindi · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 8:05 pm Post subject:

Stick with it. All good recommendations above.

I have owned my bus for about 9 months. The first two months were cycling through the slight neglect from the PO. After that initial two months, my bus has given us months of trouble free motoring.

Eric&Barb · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:48 pm Post subject:

Hopefully you did not run the transaxle low on gear oil.

Preventive maintenance is far less $$$, time consuming and fatal to you or your bus.

Unless you trust your life to the past owner, you have to go through a VW as completely as possible. Then stick to a schedule when to do maintenance, and make sure the brake/transaxle/engine never run low on fluids.

Buy this manual now and read it through.

http://www.amazon.com/Volkswagen-Transporter-Works...mp;sr=8-12
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

angus_hanger · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 9:52 pm Post subject:

If your shifter goes through the gears fine when stopped ... I'd hesitate to list it as a shift coupler/bushing problem ... replace them anyways, it's a cheap repair, about 20 bucks and your shifter will thank you for it.

Yes, do the gear oil thing, fresh gear oil in these beasts is always appreciated ... look for shavings in the used, always a sign of impending doom for your trans ...

Back to your original problem ...

What did the PO do to your trans?
You'd be surprised in the name of 'keeping it on the road', what peeps have done tae these ...

Have the trans mounts been replaced?
I ran the '64 Westy for about two years before discovering why it was so difficult to get into second gear ... the front trans mounts were shot and the shift rod was the only thing holding the front of the trans up. These are 'easy' to replace ... a couple of hours with one adult helper. It can be done without removing the trans completely from the bus.

What condition are the hockey stick and shift fork in?
This is a sort of segue from the PO question above. I've seen all sorts of none-sense with beetle transmissions (none with Busses yet, thankfully) where hockeys that don't fit properly or bent plus bent or just plain useless shift forks were used ...

It's an alignment issue, I'd agree, aside from further information.

Sorry mate, but once you put your backside behind the wheel, you became a card-carrying member ... Very Happy

Welcome to the club ... it's a ride you'll never forget ...
_________________
His - 'Rosie' - '64 Westy
Hers - '66 Beetle
SST '04 -'06
"Why yes sir, Sheriff, I do like Fat Chicks."

way2krdn8d · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 10:49 pm Post subject:

Thank you again to all for the informative posts to help me on my way. I'm so excited I can barely get anything else done!

angus_hanger · Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2011 11:07 pm Post subject:

bill may · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 6:06 am Post subject:

Eric&Barb · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 8:23 am Post subject:

Also hover your mouse cursor over the "Technical" button at top right of this page. A list will pop up there, left click on the "Manuals". Next page left click on your type of VW in the "Owner's/parts manuals" section.

Then pick your year of VW and left click on that.
Read it through several times and print out two copies. One copy to carry in the VW and one for home.
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

Z · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 9:03 am Post subject:

In addition to the manuals already mentioned, if you are truly an automotive novice, I'd recommend this:

http://www.amazon.com/How-Keep-Your-Volkswagen-Ali...amp;sr=8-2

For procedures and "how-to" instructions, the Bentley manual is the ultimate source, but if you don't already know what's what, this book is a good read for you.

angus_hanger · Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 3:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks Bill, I should have picked up on the correct number of bushings for his year. (seeing as I just downloaded the pages for shift rods from the Obsolete Air Cooled Documentation project not but two days ago, I'm changing mine out next week ...)

You can find that here:
http://www.oacdp.com/5867part.html

For shift rods, it's under:
Main Group 7: Frame, Hand and Foot Lever Systems
Page 359

In the meanwhile here's a thread about your particular model shift rod with some pics that might help:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=238429&highlight=front+trans+mounts+broken

If it's a broken front mount, there is a quick and dirty fix that will work ... however, please do it right when you get the time and space ...
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=443022&highlight=front+trans+mounts+broken

Good luck! Cheers
_________________
His - 'Rosie' - '64 Westy
Hers - '66 Beetle
SST '04 -'06
"Why yes sir, Sheriff, I do like Fat Chicks."

way2krdn8d · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 5:53 am Post subject:

Eric&Barb · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 6:22 am Post subject:

Would try a "Search of the "Classifieds" here for a "Shifter", and just buy a good used complete shifter.
Great to hear you fixed the first problem!
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

novetti · Samba Member Joined: August 15, 2004 Posts: 469

Once I got my stuck in gear too. Checked everything and couldn't find the problem.
Then eventually I found out what was going on, the tranny mount on the chassis was cracked and moved the whole show together, but eventally came back to place when I inspected.

So, when in stuck in gear again might check the mount. I always carry a spare with me after this.

way2krdn8d · Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 10:43 am Post subject:

thanks on that yeah.... I'm planning on fabbin' up one of the emergency J-hook rigs that was link'd to earlier on this thread....

thanks for reminding me! Razz


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Split Bus	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1