The mod will work on 091/1, 094 (diesel), and syncro trannys. Model years 
1980-85 use an 091 tranny with a different linkage setup. Translation: The 
mod will work on all '86 and up Vanagons and on diesels. It will not work 
on an '84 Vanagon, unless it's a diesel. You can still rebuild your linkage 
with new bushings and boots--I'm sure that would improve the shifting on 
your van.

-Mark
----------
>From: 	Michael A. Radtke[SMTP:m.radtke@elm.az05.bull.com]
Sent: 	Monday, May 06, 1996 8:42 AM

=========================================================================
Date:         
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         
Subject:      RE: 87: shift rod bushing modification

Mark,

I have an '84 and my Bentley is as old.  I have lived with the rear shift 
rod bushing issue for 12 years now.  So, my questions are (from your 
Bentley):

1) Will the mod work on an '84?

2) Will the mod work on a non-synchro?

Thanks,
Mike

----------
>From: 	Mark McCulley[SMTP:raven@halcyon.com]
Sent: 	Saturday, May 04, 1996 9:11 AM

=========================================================================
Date:         
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         
Subject:      87: shift rod bushing modification

Page 34.7a of the Bentley manual shows a modification made to the shift rod 
bushing at the tranny end of the shift rod. The modification adds two boots 
and a new improved bushing. Vanagons built after June 1987 include this
change. My syncro was built before then and did not have the mod, so I
decided to install it myself. It was cheap, relatively easy, and tightened
up the shifting noticeably. The addition of the boots will keep the bushing 
greased for a much longer period too. Here are the required parts:

Qty	Part #			Desc		Price (ea)
2	251-711-167-F		boot		5.03
1	251-711-207-E		bushing		2.14
2	N-011-008-18		nut		0.44

The two nuts are required to position the bushing assembly 6.5 mm further
forward to accomodate the additional boot. It's a pretty straight forward
operation:

Put tranny in neutral.
Remove two bolts holding bushing assembly to gear carrier housing.
Shift rod is now free, drop it down to ground.
Remove pin holding "socket" at end of shift rod.
Remove bushing assembly.
Clean everything up, grease, and reassemble with new parts.

All told, took me about 1.5 hours.

-Mark McCulley
'87 syncro Westfalia
'74 bus