Just to be clear - I am not referring to the gear shift lever or the parts
/ mechanism found below the boot in the van itself - I am talking about the
shift lever which attaches the linkage to the transmission.

BT

On Fri, Sep 6, 2013 at 5:37 PM, Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
>>
>
>