Hi all:

The shifting on my Vanagon is pretty funky in 1st/2nd  - it's pretty vague
just where you're at and somewhat difficult getting into 1st   - and there's
a definite rattle coming from the shifter mechanism.  If I put my hand on
the shift lever that rattling noise stops so I'm pretty sure that the
bushing, identified as "711 207 251" ( Bushing to '82) in ETKA is the
culprit, though I haven't been under the vehicle yet to really scope it out.
(To tell the truth I haven't been under the vehicle for several years now,
since it gets so little use.  Also, there's a "belly pan" under there - for
the gas-fired heater I suppose - that I have to remove to really look at
things.)

A couple of questions:

711 207 251 as a part number doesn't seem to be available, though I do see
some references to "711 207 251 D"    [Bushing from '83 (from '87 partially
front only)] and "711 207 251 E" (Bushing from '87) so the first question:

Are these part numbers with the addition of the D or E backwards compatible
with my "711 207 251" part?

And the second question:  Where does this bushing live in the '82 models?
Is it accessible when you drop the spare tire carrier or farther back,
probably under that belly pan?

TIA.

Tom Young