I can certainly see that.  The Vanagon shifter is fairly long, and the
amount of force at the base is going to be a lot more than you might
think based on the effort applied at the handle.  If you are having to
force the shifter into gear or the adjustment is wrong and the gears are
hard to find, this could easily stress the shifter at the base and
fatigue the metal over time.  In my van the shifting into first was very
difficult when I first got it; I have it adjusted so it's much better
now but still have to hunt for first just a bit on occasion.

On my list after this "shake down cruise" is to refresh the shifter
linkage at the base of the shifter and also back at the transmission.

Allan
--
1991 Vanagon GL

On Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:41:58 -0400, "Miguel Pacheco"
<mundopacheco@GMAIL.COM> said:
> I had one break in this fashion and blame myself for it. My theory is that
> if all the various parts from shifter to the tranny are not properly
> maintained, the area in question is stressed beyond design and breaks.
> Regular maintenance to this area is my MO and I have not had any more
> breaks.
> Good Luck,
>
> Miguel
>