So - I figured out the linkage problem with my van - which seemed to
have comparable symptoms to Ian's 85 Wolfsburg.  Actually my mechanic
identified the problem as being a broken shift lever at the transmission -
the plastic ball on this part had broke off from the base.  This piece
is concealed under the boot and was loose enough to create play with the
shifting.

My mechanic also told me a common problem is with the top piece of the
shift lever which fits onto the transmission and can wear and also create
play.

Anyway just thought I'd share my findings.

BT

86 Syncro Westy

On Sat, Aug 31, 2013 at 4:12 PM, Ian MacDonald
<overengineered42@gmail.com>wrote:

> I have recently bought an 85 Wolfsburg Weekender Edition and was having
> lots of fun with it. Until I messed up the shift alignment, and lost first
> and second, having magically turned in third and fourth. Now, after reading
> my Bentley, I thought I had fixed it after going through the steps. But to
> no avail. Even with my father's help, neither of us have managed to fix it.
> He's had many vans over the years, and currently has three in his
> possession, but none have been manuals, so he doesn't have any tricks to
> fix this issue.
> So I come to all of you nice people and ask fit here's anything we're
> missing, or if the answer is to continue trying to move the plate the lever
> bearing rests in around. Anything is welcomed at this point, because it's
> getting a little irritating that first occasionally turns up where reverse
> should be, but never back where it belongs.
>
>                            Thanks in advance,  Ian MacDonald
>