From the replies I got so far most are saying 3/4 slider issues.  I am just
mostly peeved at myself for not putting in the other tranny when the Zetec
went in. Looks like I"ll be the first to to a replacement on a Zetec with
the new cradle design....

Bill

On Tue, Jun 1, 2010 at 2:39 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> Those "techs".  <rolls eyes>  Man. Last year, I could *hear* the yo-yo
> at air care start mine 3rd. Motor rattles....
>
> Not saying your smog tech is at fault but.... <rant off>
>
> In shift housing above clamshell, pretty sure there should be a
> plastic bit at end of each fork on shift rod. Missing or broken? Ball
> etc on shift lever ok? Though unlikely, is shift housing and shift
> lever plate in cab (under big boot) secure? Since rear bushing was
> replaced, is plate secure to transmission? Also check clamp and
> splined shaft at front/rear shift rod join.
>
> Since the rear bushing is new, I bet you could remove the two
> nuts/bolts at bushing plate where it attaches to transmission, lower
> linkage away from gear selector on transmission, then feel how
> transmission shifts via shift lever. You could also inspect the ball
> at end of shift lever.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/27coas5
>
> Could also be a 3/4 hub issue.
>
> GW article on the infamous 3/4 hub, and there's info in the archives too.
>
> http://usedeurovanparts.com/library_article.php?id=117
>
> Neil.
>
> On Tue, Jun 1, 2010 at 8:41 AM, W Monk <billmonk@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I have had a problem with my 87 Westy. Once in awhile it doesn't want to
> go
> > into third or fourth. The shift lever acts like it hitting something so
> it
> > wont swing over to the 3/4 gear side of the shift box. The front bushing
> are
> > a bit worn and replacements should be here today. The rear is nice and
> tight
> > as are the bushing on the long rod. Those were replaced last fall. I am
> > assuming that its a linkage issue or perhaps something is getting caught
> up
> > on the box. Has anyone every had a internal tranny failure where it
> > get caught up trying to go into 3/4 gears? I have had a tranny pop out of
> > fourth gear (not this one) but never an issue like this.
> > I do know that when going for a smog earlier the technician forced it
> into
> > reverse. Since then its never been right.  Hopefully the parts are there
> > when I get home tonight and replacing them will solve my shifting issues.
> > Otherwise I need to pull the gearbox out of my parts van ( a rancho
> rebuild
> > with only 10,000 miles on it) and get that in before Friday. In hindsite
> > wish I had swapped the tranny when doing the Zetec install.
> >
> > Bill
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>