Hey Volks, I need to vent so bare with me:

I'm trying to find the shifter rod linkage U-Joint (251 711 551). This part
is used on EVERY manual trans Vanagon (syncro or no) from 1980-91. None of
the four area dealers (University, Larson, Chaplins, Campbell-Nelson) has
this in stock or normally carries it. Come on Volkswagen! There must be
10,000 of these vans in the Seattle area. I've personally needed to replace
this part on two vanagons, so quit telling me "those never break."  Besides,
it's gotta be about a two dollar part, so even if it doesn't break, you
could still stock ONE. Geez. I'm starting to get misty eyed when I see those
Saturn commercials that tout their spare parts network.

At this point, I'm going to try to get a used one from Bry's so I can get my
Westy on the road, but holler if you are in Seattle and you have the part or
a parts van I can rob it from.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Tim King
87 Syncro Westy
Seattle, WA