In a message dated 10/10/2003 6:48:37 PM EST, wes@CS.UCHICAGO.EDU writes:

<< On a possibly unrelated note, the shifter (not the tranny, I think)
 sometimes makes a sqeaking noise along the 1st-2nd gear axis, kind of like
 a window wiping noise.  Is there anything I can lube to fix this?
  >>

That squeak annoyed me for a while. I pulled the shift boot up from the floor
and used wheel grease to grease the large plastic ball at the base of the
shifter and I think there was a small square (about a square inch) plastic guide
that runs along a metal shift plate on the passenger side that I greased. All
the friction points were easy to see after pulling the boot off the floor.

The lip of the shifter boot just slips under the floor carpet to hild it in
place on my bus. So the boot just pulls up off the floor to access the guts.
Then with some persuation it can be replaced by inserting the lip of the boot
back under the rug.

This is how it worked on my 83 to best of my recall althought I greased the
area about 8 months ago.

I hope this helps the squeeking problem. The difficulty shifting I fear is
something else. This I have no knowledge of.

Best
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA