A worn front tranny mount will allow quite a bit of movement.  And used ones
tend to all be worn out!

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Schwenk" <steve@SYNCRO.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 4:42 PM
Subject: Re: Transaxle - Movement of Gear Shifter Normal?

> But Rich, i had them both sworn in!  Actually, I have
> no doubts about the knowledge of the the individuals
> who informed me of this.  They have each seen/done many
> rebuilds.  And Tim Smith did confirm for me in the
> rebuild manual that there are shims used on the
> mainshaft when he took a peek at it after I asked his
> opinion.  But I may not have that problem, that's what
> i am trying to find out as far as movement and other
> possible causes.
>
> So, i really appreciate the info you have provided.
> Just so happens I got the shifter rehab kit from Ken,
> so that goes in this weekend.  I will check the other
> stuff, too.  I half inclined to replace the front diff
> and tranny mounts, too.
>
> Thanks.  I will report back.
> Steve
>
> JKrevnov@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > In a message dated 5/24/01 1:42:54 PM, steve@SYNCRO.ORG writes:
> >
> > << I was informed over the weekend around the campfire
> > that it is not normal for the gearshifter to move when
> > you let off the gas while driving... >>
> >
> > >From my limited exposure to both, it seems to me that a campfire is a
lot
> > like a courtroom: while truth may exist in either locus, it is often
hard to
> > find.  First, to my knowledge, there are no shims on the mainshaft.
> > Secondly, if you look at the geometry of every component involved, it
seems
> > it would take one hell of a lot of slop in the mainshaft to cause the
shifter
> > to move that much.  Lastly, the engine cum transaxle moves around quite
a bit
> > from on-throttle to trailing-throttle.
> >
> > I, too, had noticeable shifting of the gearshift lever on one of my
Syncro's.
> >  When I replaced every bit of plastic and rubber between the transaxle
> > selector shaft and the gearshift knob, it went away and has not been
seen for
> > the last 47 Kmi.  Perhaps that was overkill and redoing the shift lever
ball
> > joint would have been enough, but it was all apart anyway.  Prior to the
> > redo, two other symptoms I noticed were a buzzing sound from the shifter
at
> > certain road speeds (around 60 - 70 mph) and, with the shifter in
neutral,
> > the lever could be lifted upward about 1-2 inch without any resistance
being
> > felt.
> >
> > Rich