Having trouble with gears.

[Dirk]

Gents I need help.

Lady is having severe trouble shifting into first and second. Third and Fourth is working perfectly, and there are grinding noises coming from anywhere.
So I believe the gear box itself is fine but the selector arms are worn.
Now the one thing I've not seen a solution for in any of the manuals I have is exactly this problem.
Do any of you know who/where I can take her to get sorted out?

If not, might you know how I can fix the problem.
Please, I'm rather desprate here, I can not afford for Lady not to run reliably.

[eben]

Looks like you are having the same issue as Buged . You are selecting reverse instead of second(grinding gears) because of a incorrectly set reverse plate. Look for that post I posted yesterday.

http://www.vw-resource.com/plateadj.html

[Dirk]

Main difference here is that there is no grinding of any kind, not yet at least.
I've stopped driving Lady because of this. I sincerely hope it's a problem with the selection rather than the gearbox

[Buged]

Yeah bud, Im hoping the best for you!

Ill be scratching under my cars skirt too tonight...

Ric

[eben]

Gents I need help.

Lady is having severe trouble shifting into first and second. Third and Fourth is working perfectly, and there are grinding noises coming from anywhere.
So I believe the gear box itself is fine but the selector arms are worn.
Now the one thing I've not seen a solution for in any of the manuals I have is exactly this problem.
Do any of you know who/where I can take her to get sorted out?

If not, might you know how I can fix the problem.
Please, I'm rather desprate here, I can not afford for Lady not to run reliably.

[Dirk]

Opps, sorry.

That sould read: "and there aren't any grinding noises coming from anywhere."

[Dirk]

Ok, so with the help of HR I did some gearbox work today.

We toped up the gearbox with oil, I removed, cleaned and greased the gear leaver as well.
But still no joy. Lady still sticks on first and second.

So, anyone have any suggestions?

[Chris]

Then maybe it's the synchro's

[Bugger]

Ok as our chat earlier today have you checked the Gear rod shift bush and the back selector if there are alot of play then you will have such type of selection problems also check (I had a Beetle in mind when I spoke to you today )
On the type 3 the back selector is at the bottom of the car check where the selector goes in to the gearbox if there is also alot of play

Once all this is fixed and it still battles to select 1st and 2nd only
Then the selector fork in side of the transmission could be badly worn that it wants to push the selector hub scew and not 90% to the selector fork this is a problem if the box was reconed once in its life and was not set proparly and the selector fork is rubbing against the hub all the time while in neutral and causes unnesisary wear to one another

Keep us posted

[Dirk]

Hi Bugger,

Yup, Lady is a Beetle

The fasty will only be named once I've completed the restoration to the point where I'm happy to drive it.

But Lady needs to run. She's my "this-car-needs-to-run-reliably" car.

I'll check the bushings and report back.
Thanks for all the help.

[Dirk]

Right,

So I got bushings today and will be attempting the fix tomorrow.
Can someone explain to me why this plastic thing is called a bushing.

I'm not sure that it's the right thing, because my Type 3 manual points to the same thing and calls it a sleeve.

[Bugger]

Its a TOMATO TAMATO THing

DOnt worry its the same thing

Little plastic "COLLAR" with a slot in it

[Dirk]

Right, again with a tremendous amount of help from HR, we managed to get the selection rod out.
I cleaned EVERYTHING and lubricated with Red Rubber Grease.
Then we did some dancing to get it back in, first time it didn't work, second time it didn't work, third time... we got it back in.

So... the new bushing is in, everything is reassembled and...

drum roll please...

THE PROBLEM... STILL EXISTS!

Right, I'm open to all suggestions. Here is what's happening:

While stationary, getting into first and second is only a problem if you come out of reverse, you have to go to third and then to first, in order to get the gear in.
While driving, and shifting from third to second, it only sometimes happens that it doesn't want to go into second or first. This requires some effort and tricky driving to sort out,
and is down right dangerous.

Now, apparently there is supposed to be some kind of adjustment that needs to happen on the stop plate. Can any one fill me in on this.
All other suggestions are welcome. I honestly don't know what to do anymore, short of getting another gearbox

Anyway, I'm learning a lot and that at least puts a smile on my face. Please, please, please... make your suggestions, don't hold back, if need be I'll check and triple check everything again.

[Bugger]

It sounds that the stop plate needs to be adjusted

Now as I said to you before if the rod bush is worn or in 3 pieces as yours was then you can not really adjust the Stop plate (unless you got lots of experience in this )

Adjusting the stop plate is one of the more triekier things to do and you need to have Patience while doing it

The way I normally adjust it is by just inserting the gearlever back in to its position remember the longest lip on the stop Plate needs to be the driver side then spring over and tighten the 2 bolts start the bug check what gears you get by engaging the gear and slowly releasing the clutch to see and feel 1 2 3 4 R switch off

Then say when you move the lever to the left and forward you should get 1st

If not and it battles feel by slightly moving the gearlever to the left fwd and right fwd and see if you select the 1st gear

Once you can select 1st by moving the lever L&R then you losen the 2 bolts so slightly and with a small chisel and hammer tap the adjust plate either to the L OR R and tighten the 2 bolts again

Go through the gears again by starting the bug and check if it is worse or better then check that you dont adjust it to far to the left that when you go to 2nd that it grates

When adjusted right you should be able to sit in the driver seat and gently with your eyes close and clutch pressed down move the gear lever to the left and forward and engage 1st gear

This setting the Plate is not as easy as it sounds and if you dont get it right rether get somebodys help that has done it before then AND if this is not done right now and you want to fit a nother gearbox for no reason the fault will still stay in the car with new box and all

[Dirk]

Thanks a million Bugger. You advice has been invaluable, I'll try the plate thing tomorrow