Dagbear@aol.com wrote:
> I replaced all of the bushings on the shifter linkage in my 87 last
> month.  In order to get the best results you will need to replace all of
> the following components:
>
>    - The nylon bushings that hold the shifter lever at the floor. There
> are two hemispheres at the floor that form the ball which the shift
> lever passes through. There is a spring that goes between the
> hemispheres.  There are two units which form the socket into which the
> assembled hemispheres fit.  There is a rubber bushing that holds the
> aforementioned units together.  There are two nylon bushings that are at
> the base of the shift lever where it connects to the shift rod that goes
> to the back of the van.

I think my problem is in the front with the above.  I'm opening the
shifter today to see what's up but since I had a relatively short period
of slop with sudden binding to the point of not being able to use it I'm
thinking I've got one or two pieces that have failed/cracked/broken
creating enough of a clearance issue that the rest won't work.

>    - The rod that connects the shift lever to the transmission is made
> up of two rods connected with a nylon universal joint near the middle.
> There are two bushings through which the rod passes that will need to be
> replaced. These help to maintain correct alignment of the shift rod. At
> the back of the shift rod is a lever which serves a socket for the ball
> attached to the shift arm on the side of the transmission.  This is held
> onto the shift rod by a pin. this shift lever will need to be replaced
> so that a good fit exists with the ball on the side of the
> transmission.  The ball is also replaceable.  There should also be two
> rubber boots to replace at the transmission end of the assembly.  One
> covers the shift lever/ball joint connection at the transmission and
> the other covers the shift arm that emerges from the side of the
> transmission.

I looked at the back first and all seems in order other than the boots
on the rod being shredded and a tiny amount of seepage from where the
rod goes into the tranny.

> You can order the parts for the rear assembly from the Bus Depot or
> other vendors but make sure to order the parts for the front assembly
> also as these are not included in the kit.  I ordered the parts for the
> front from the local VW dealer and got the kit for the rear from the Bus
> Depot. I had some trouble getting the right parts for the front from
> them because they had to special order them.  I am sure that since they
> went through the experience with me, they will know just what you need.
>
> Let me know if you have any questions.

Bus Depot lists:

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=251711200

for $99.95

without a picture so it's tough to tell what that includes.

Vanagain.com lists:

  Shifter Rebuild Kit for 80-91 Manual Vanagon (syncro too!)
This kit is for rebuilding your shifter in a manual Vanagon. It
includes: 1- 171 711 227A- $3.37 1- 171 711 279- $10.65 2- 823 711 255-
$4.48 each ($8.96) 1- 251 711 645- $10.62 1- 823 711 643 A- $6.15 1- 823
711 199- $.92

which looks like much/all of the front parts?  but I don't know their
numbers...

for $40.67

The difference in prices makes me wonder about the difference in what's
included.

If I end up finding one or two pieces has failed I'd rather not rebuild
the whole thing...front to back since I was planning on letting go of
this '80 come summer (probably to someone in need of parts) in favor of
a friend's '91.

Just need to keep going a little while longer....

; )

--

Wil

"I really didn't foresee the Internet. But then, neither did the
computer industry. Not that that tells us very much of course - the
computer industry didn't even foresee that the century was going to end."
-- Douglas Adams