My plastic assembly at bottom of gear shifter snapped off recently; was able to get into gears by lifting shifter and massaging and accurately gliding through pattern...at least well enough to get to trusty mechanic.  He replaced all the 32 year old brittle and broken parts on my 85.  And immediately it felt like showroom!!  A real pleasure to drive now.

Parts and labor was only about $165.  That was a year ago.  Very happy customer.
Rich
San Diego

      From: Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
 To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
 Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2018 7:04 PM
 Subject: Re: Need help adjusting gear shift linkage
   
how old is the plastic assembly on the bottom of the shift lever?... too
old? mine is due after 10 years... replace it and the selector plastic tab
too...

http://www.vancafe.com/VCSELECTORSHAFTKIT_p/vcselectorshaftkit.htm

http://www.vancafe.com/VCShiftbasekitlate_p/vcshiftbasekitlate.htm