The cups wear out after a while.  Shifting becomes more vague and eventually
the ball will start slipping out of the cup.  On visual inspection, is the
cup all there?  On mine, the back side of the cup just kinda blew out.  If
it's broken, it needs replacing.  The cup is held onto the linkage by a
pin/screw that goes (as I recall) through the bottom of the cup.

If it is not eroded away, you may be able to extend its service life by
removing the linkage at the tranny by removing the two 13mm bolts holding
the bushing mount.  Then you put the tranny in neutral (just whack the ball
with your hand).  Then simply place the cup back on the ball and bolt her
back up.

The list member you're thinking of is probably GM Bulley, who is no longer
on the list either.  If you need further help, drop another note and I'll
try to roust up his addy for you.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Sackin" <Sackscot@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, September 01, 2001 2:49 AM
Subject: Broken 84 Tranny Shift Linkage - Stuck in NC!

I was on my way from Fredericksburg, VA to Morehead City, NC to spend the
week at the beach in NC. We were going to pull off and camp (catch a nap) in
Rocky Mount, NC tonight. My girlfriend was driving because I was
zonked...2am. She has only driven the Westy once before...so she is not
real adept with the shifter. Well she passed the road we wanted to turn on,
so she had to put it in reverse. I helped her. After we backed up she
couldn't find first...so I tried to help her as she yanked the gear shift
around. She doesn't like being helped.....

Well long story short - the shifter linkage came out of the ball socket at
the transmission.  Now I'm stuck at the holiday inn in Rocky Mount, NC.

My questions are:

1) Are there any pins or mechanical parts that might have sheared and need
replacing to put the ball socket linkage (at the transmission) back
together,
or is it purely a mechanical connection.

2) Do you have any tips for putting it back together? I tried, but I
couldn't get it to match up and was afraid I might do more damage than good.
Also, it was very tight being at ground level.

3) Lastly do you know anyone in the area that could help? Rocky Mount is
about 1.5hrs South East of Durham. (Exit 141 on I-95) I remember a guy that
is very active on the list that is Durham, but I haven't been active myself
for a couple years, so I don't have his number or email.

Thanks again,
Scott Sackin
84 Westy
Stuck somewhere in NC...not the beach....