Mine broke off exactly this way exactly four months ago and I fixed it
exactly the same way.

The difference was that it happened in the boonies!

So I drove around with a punch stuck down in the broken off hole until we
came upon a boonie shack with a geezer in it. He happened to have the taps
and welding equipment right there so 45 mins and a tip and we were on our way.

At 11:53 AM 11/20/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Hi,
>
>Anyone else had the gearshift break off in their hand?
>
>Trying for reverse yesterday and it came loose. Shifter travel had been
>getting larger and vaguer for a week prior.  Had cracked at the little
>dimple that a setscrew locks into, hidden under the rubber boot. Shifter is
>a hollow tube, crack just worked it's way across fast.  May want to check
>yours sometime.
>
>Quick fix was not quick, had to run a tap down the remaining stub and up
>into the broken bit, then thread in a bit of 3/8" coarse thread rod and
>screw parts together. This was just enough to get low and second gears,
>reverse was a fight. Once home I took it all out and welded the rod in
>place solidly.  PITA if this had happened in the boonies.
>
>Why do I still drive this vehicle?
>
>bye, Tim
>
>'87 Syncro Westy, shiftless in suburbia
>'85 CrewCab auto
>'85 7 seater parts van (also auto!)

_______________________________________________
Derek Drew                  New York, NY & Washington DC
ConsumerSearch
drew@interport.net
212-580-6486, 202-966-7907 (Work)
212-580-4459; 202-966-0938 (Home)
     (cell: 917-848-6425)