Mine used to squeek the same way.  To stop the squeek, drop the spare
tire carrier and remove the spare.  Lay on your shoulder in the open
carrier, and you can look down the shift tube toward the back of the
vehicle, and you will be able to see the bushing in the crossmember that
it's rubbing.  Spray some silicone spray onto the tube at where it rubs.
I use the little red straw that comes on WD40 on the silicone spray, so
it makes a long stream to hit the right spot.

Mike Moery, Anchorage, AK
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=='Ol Bessie  '82TD Westy

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Vanagon Man
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2001 5:27 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Squeeky shifter and squeeky front suspension

Volks,
Here in SC the temps dropped in the low 40's a couple nights in a row,
and a
long with all that, a few new idiosyncrasies on the van.

1981 vanagon, 4 speed.

First off, the shifter  is really squeaky.  It is like metal on metal.
Operates fine though.....I greased it back by the tranny and it still
squeaks!  What is up?

Also, the springs or ball joints are squeaky.  I figure i will get one
of
those needle things for my grease gun and shoot some grease in the
boots.  I
can literally push down on the front end and get squeaking.  Maybe
shocks?

Any advice is appreciated!

Adam P
81 westy (3 of them)
74 beetle
73 Transporter (at paint shop!)
70 Single Cab  "Whitey"
Vanagon Partsmobiles

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