rotating gearshift

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haydn111
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Joined: 3rd May 2013 - 2:38am

rotating gearshift

Post by haydn111 » 3rd May 2013 - 2:56am

Hi All.

My son has a '72 type 3 squareback.

The gearstick is popping out of the shift rod coupling (and rotating 360 degrees) despite the spring and locating pin which is supposed to hold it in straight.

Bloody frightening when it first happened-while crossing an intersection with a bus coming from the right and stuck in neutral!

I've changed the shift rod bushing and swapped the gearstick ball housing, spring and stop plate with second hand ones, but the problem persists.

Any ideas as to what needs replacing?

Regards to all Haydn

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miketyp3
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by miketyp3 » 3rd May 2013 - 9:12am

Hi Hayden,

Is it the standard gearshift? The reason I ask is I've seen exactly the same thing happen when a late car is fitted with the early (shiney chrome) gear stick ( :oops: I was young...).
I think the late part must be longer between the pivot and the ball end to compensate for the extra thickness of the removable mounting on the tunnel top.

Other than that, how is the adjustment? Is the stick vertical when in neutral?

Mike
Mike

64 1500S Notchback - RHD Sunroof
66 1600TL Fastback - Pigalle Interior
67 T346 Karmann Ghia - RHD Sunroof

haydn111
Posts: 2
Joined: 3rd May 2013 - 2:38am

Re: rotating gearshift

Post by haydn111 » 8th May 2013 - 2:36am

Thanks Mike.

Yes it's the standard gearshift and you are absolutely right Mike- the distance from the gear stick cup pivot to the ball end is around 8mm longer than other VW's. I found this out the hard way when trying to find a replacement gear stick (amazing how few VW/supplier "experts" don't know this). I finally got one from ISP WEST, (after they sent the wrong one as well) but they did the right thing and sent me a replacement albeit second hand one at no charge. I hope to receive it in the next few days. It's the only thing I haven't replaced, so I'm looking forward to see if it resolves the problem.

Haydn

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sparkywig
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Joined: 28th August 2013 - 12:49pm

Re: rotating gearshift

Post by sparkywig » 15th February 2017 - 8:36pm

I've got this problem on my '67. Loads of slop and the shifter ball pops out of the shift rod cup.
Tried swapping to a Berg shifter, but then I can't select reverse and either 1st and 2nd, or 3rd or 4th, depending on the location of the gear shift base.

Any ideas?

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Editor
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by Editor » 22nd February 2017 - 11:57pm

Is the shift rod moving up and down as well as the normal rotation and front to back? The shift-rod support sleeve may be worn out. It's not too easy to get to, but I think there are threads on here that go through the procedure for replacement. I think it involves uncoupling from the linkage at the rear of the tunnel (underneath) and pulling out of the sleeve forwards via the access plate on the front of the tunnel.
Dave.

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sparkywig
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by sparkywig » 23rd February 2017 - 5:16pm

No, the shift rod doesn't move up and down and the front bush is fine.
The gear stick just seems to have too much side to side movement, if you're not gentle when selecting a gear, the ball pops out of the shift rod.

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sparkywig
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by sparkywig » 26th February 2017 - 2:56pm

I've changed the shift rod/gearbox coupler and it has reduced the amount of slop, but it still pops out of the front shift rod cup.
Can anybody measure the distance between the pivot point and the base of the ball on their stock gearstick please?
Thanks.

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miketyp3
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by miketyp3 » 27th February 2017 - 8:49am

Do you have the limit plate installed correctly?
It fits between the chassis and the shifter base, but wouldn't be required with an aftermarket shifter like the Berg you mentioned.
Mike

64 1500S Notchback - RHD Sunroof
66 1600TL Fastback - Pigalle Interior
67 T346 Karmann Ghia - RHD Sunroof

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sparkywig
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by sparkywig » 27th February 2017 - 10:38pm

The shift plate is in place, and the Berg shifter comes with it's own plate.

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sparkywig
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by sparkywig » 21st April 2017 - 6:28pm

I've found the problem with my gearshift. I appear to have a Beetle AB 1300 gearbox fitted, so the rear shift coupler connects to the gearbox "hockey stick" at a different alignment to what it should. This is why the gearstick pops out of the front shift rod.
Is there any reason why a Type 3 DC gearbox nosecone won't fit to the AB gearbox as a short term fix until I can source a DA code Type 'box?

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miketyp3
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by miketyp3 » 21st April 2017 - 7:11pm

Are you sure?
AB is a swing axle box, as is a DA.
DC is the correct code gearbox for a 72 with IRS (sorry Dave, double jointed drive shafts)
Anyway, yes the nosecones are interchangeable, the Type 3 box is just a bit higher geared.
Mike

64 1500S Notchback - RHD Sunroof
66 1600TL Fastback - Pigalle Interior
67 T346 Karmann Ghia - RHD Sunroof

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purplepeter
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by purplepeter » 21st April 2017 - 7:49pm

Simons car is a '67 Mike

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sparkywig
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by sparkywig » 21st April 2017 - 9:49pm

miketyp3 wrote:Are you sure?
AB is a swing axle box, as is a DA.
DC is the correct code gearbox for a 72 with IRS (sorry Dave, double jointed drive shafts)
Anyway, yes the nosecones are interchangeable, the Type 3 box is just a bit higher geared.
purplepeter wrote:Simons car is a '67 Mike

Thanks

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miketyp3
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by miketyp3 » 24th April 2017 - 9:19am

I thought we were talking about a 72, sorry.
Mike

64 1500S Notchback - RHD Sunroof
66 1600TL Fastback - Pigalle Interior
67 T346 Karmann Ghia - RHD Sunroof

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sparkywig
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Re: rotating gearshift

Post by sparkywig » 25th April 2017 - 4:14pm

miketyp3 wrote:I thought we were talking about a 72, sorry.
That's OK, the orginal post was about a '72. I just jumped onto the end.

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