Shift rod ear repair kit review

squeegee_boy · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:32 pm Post subject: Shift rod ear repair kit review

Hi all,

I bought a set of shift guide repair parts from Chris at T3Technique, and installed them on a friend's van a few hours ago. They're made by Holman Engineering in the UK, and T3Technique is the US distributor.

http://www.t3technique.com/accessories/shifter-guide-repair-kit.html

They are, in a word, perfect! They're easy to install, and are significantly more durable than the factory plastic ears.

I've taken a few photos, if you'll indulge me:

The old ears were completely missing, so other than a wash in brake cleaner and some scrubbing with steel wool, the prep was easy:

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

Some relieving of the corners according to the instructions. This is because the milling of the ears was done with a round bit, and the slots have slightly rounded inner corners. Not a big deal, a few passes and it was done.

The kit. 45 bucks for about 10 grams of plastic Smile

They're extremely well built, though. The little silver things are aluminum pins that mechanically hold the ears in place:

Nice and shiny before the epoxy:

The ears epoxied in place:

A teeny bit of filing on the pins to smooth out the ridges left by the pliers I used, and it's good to go in about 2 hours (the setting time of the epoxy I used):

It feels like a new shifter now. The guides actually hold the shift lever in the correct place. I lubed it with silicone grease, as per the directions.

Thanks very much Chris and Holman Engineering! We;ve needed a product like this for a looong time.

One very happy customer,

Robyn
_________________
1984 FrankenSyncro Westy. EJ25 RMW kit
1971 Super Beetle with an EJ22. Oh yes. Daily driver

dhaavers · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:56 am Post subject:

NICE! Spendy, but nice!
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

BillM · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 4:57 am Post subject:

Great write up on a fix many of us need. To remove the front shift rod,were you able to slide it out the front fairly easy? I can't for the life of me recall how I removed mine last time.
_________________
Bill M
87 Westy

bosruten · Samba Member Joined: February 11, 2011 Posts: 551

My mech. housing box, wing and sliders in the box were destroyed. The wing tip on the short side had been broken off and brazed back on. Needless to say, there was no plastic on the tips. I found an old rusted out front shift rod and washed the wing off and welded it to my rust-free rod. F&R'ed the box and sliders along with Holman's "tips". Took some time to dial it in but I'm very satisfied with the result.
Highly recommend!
_________________
'87 Syncro Weekender

squeegee_boy · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:26 am Post subject:

syncrodoka · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 9:49 am Post subject:

Yeah, backward is the way to go.

fairweather · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:34 am Post subject:

I was able to do this repair with the parts from Holman with the shift rod in place, no need to remove it, just pull the shifter box to expose the shifter fork. It's been several months and so far so good, really made a difference.

squeegee_boy · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:40 am Post subject:

BillWYellowstone · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:46 am Post subject:

I have the sloppy into first issue, I see these fixes and I see the ball and socket replacements, just not sure which way to go with it.

To get into first, I have to push down a little, and feel my way in. I almost always get first, although at a light I scared the guy behind me alittle. I always let the clutch out a little to be sure.

How much room underneath do you need to work on this?
_________________
Live Fulltime in motorhome
Have 86 Westy Camper 2.1 rebuilt
Work in Yellowstone NP year round.

Crankey · Samba Member Joined: July 11, 2004 Posts: 2659

sold !

ALIKA T3 · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:55 pm Post subject:

I'm glad there's finally a product for that fix.

I used to melt plastic and dip it in,then shave and carve the whole thing when cooling down.

This kit is way better Laughing

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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
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levi · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 5:49 pm Post subject:

Can't really tell from your photos, but it looks like those pieces might be identical?
I thought the originals had a different shape.

All that really matters I guess is if they work well.

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but till I do I won't be hangin round.
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gonna see life my way

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squeegee_boy · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject:

squeegee_boy · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject:

Christopher Schimke · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:50 pm Post subject:

Wow, Robyn...thank you for such a great write-up and review.

I had no idea that these would sell so quickly, but to those missed out on the first round, I do have more on order and they should be here in a couple of weeks at most.
_________________
"Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)

*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected]

teej · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 2:25 pm Post subject:

Great write up. Just installed my kit yesterday. It is an excellent fix! Highly recommended, easy to do, great instructions.

Previously I had done a couple versions of tubing/epoxy on the shift fork ears. They worked sort of okay and all failed eventually.

This fix is much better, the shifting now is way more precise, much harder to accidentally hit R when going for 1st. Seems like it should last a good long time as well.

Thanks to t3 technique and Holman Engineering for making this available!
_________________
1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans

BillM · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:41 pm Post subject:

boulderdrop · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:58 pm Post subject:

Just shot you an email.. I wanna be on the list when you get them back in stock!
_________________
== My Rides ==
1984 Westy, Bostig, 3rd:1.14, Locker-LSD, Newly Painted
1980 24' J-Boat
1979 Sears Freespirit Moped
1996 Chev S10 4x4 ZR2
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid (Wife's)

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Christopher Schimke · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 5:42 pm Post subject:

Christopholi · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 12:06 pm Post subject:

Hi All,

Just wanted to chime in as the owner of the van that these little beauties went into. The fit and finish are really very good, and only required a little bit of filing the tabs to get them to fit perfectly. It was by far the easiest job we had on the van that day.

The gear shift is incredibly solid and precise now, to the point that I really have to get used to it!

Also a big thanks to Rob for his constant technical help, his shop, and his beer consumption abilities Wink

Cheers,

Chris.


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Shift rod ear repair kit review
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