The procedure in Bentley for setting the linkage adjustment works as
advertised.  As I recall, you loosen the forward linkage coupling bolt only,
put the transmission in neutral, move the shifter to a neutral position,
then put a spacer (19mm?) between the bottom end of the shifter and the left
side of the box that protects the shifters bottom end.  When that's set you
tighten up the linkage coupling bolt.

This procedure works best if you have someone in the cab who can put a
little pressure on the top of the shifter to hold it in the proper position
(i.e., trap the spacer between the bottom of the shifter and the box).
Also, be sure the coupling bolt is nice and so that the linkage rods move
freely past one another.
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Tom Young
Lafayette, CA 94549
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Stevens" <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 8:28 AM
Subject: 80-82 vanagon shift linkage adjusting.

ok I've got the Bently, 3-4 differant versions/iterations

i'm not sure exactly on adjusting the shift rod and linkage on my fathers
van (he's already taken it apart)

anyone have any insight or tricks?   there is no mention of the slide joint
of the 2 halves, wouldn't this make it difficult to goto
front(1,3) or rear shift(2,4) gears if it's either too long or too short of
an overall distance?

dan in syracuse.