And a lift!  ;)

On Fri, May 21, 2010 at 12:34 PM, Alan Felder <dieseldoofus@gmail.com>wrote:

> That is an excellent method, similar to my home-made spacer.  I've also
> found that 3/4" plywood block is pretty close.  If you are doing this by
> yourself, use a plastic zip tie thru the hole on the passenger side of this
> shift box, with the "block" of the zip tie holding it from going thru the
> hole.  this will center your shift rod on that rail.  That will hold the
> front enough to make adjustments at the center connection, while keeping an
> eye on the rear.  It's really hard for one person to do it.  three is
> ideal.
>
> On Fri, May 21, 2010 at 2:17 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >  On Thu, May 20, 2010 at 8:27 PM, Jim Johnston <inmytree1@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > > I had to replace the shifter ball on my 4-speed manual transmission in
> my
> > > 1991 GL.  Now I can't get into reverse.  I push down and over, and it
> > goes
> > > into first.  I'm following the Bentley procedure to align the shifter.
>  I
> > am
> > > missing a plastic tab on the front shift rod, but didn't think that
> would
> > be
> > > that big of an issue.  Anyone else run into this?  Any ideas or
> guidance?
> > >
> > > I have to say, trying to get the shifter lined up has been one of the
> > most
> > > frustrating jobs I've done on my Vanagon.
> >
> >
> > Double check, but IIRC Bentley specifies 23 mm between side of shift
> > lever (fork) and rail in housing, when transmission and shift lever in
> > neutral. They suggest cutting a strip of metal to use as a guide.
> >
> > I'm a one man show, so as an experiment, tried this (pic):
> >
> > http://tinyurl.com/38pw7zb  You can just see the plastic on the fork.
> > If missing, I guess one could adjust the linkage to that, but then it
> > would scrape on the rail. And FWIW, that fork ends up under that rail
> > on pass. side of box when transmission in reverse. If that plastic
> > missing, not sure how it would affect shifting into reverse.
> >
> > IIRC, I ended up putting a vicegrip on front rod, moved it a spline or
> > 2 either way, then checking with metal strip in hand. AFAIK, the idea
> > is to adjust the front shift rod to the "stationary" position of rear
> > since the spring in transmission determine where the shift lever in
> > cab should sit when transmission in neutral.
> >
> > On my linkage, noticed some play at U joint at rear shift rod. It
> > occurred to me that if play was excessive, it might make adjustment at
> > front and rear rods meet (splined bit) a bit more challenging. Just a
> > thought.
> >
> > If old ball/socket was really worn, maybe linkage was adjusted to
> > compensate for that, so new parts have changed the alignment somewhat?
> >
> > Neil.
> >
> >
> > --
> > Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
> >
> > http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> >
> >
> >
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Alan Felder
> Austin TX
> 82 Diesel Westy
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27