Shifter linkage Alignment

[Chimpy2330]

So i need some help...I got all new bushings for my 4 SPD tranny. Only issue is that i still have a lot of play! Can anyone help me out with this... Does anyone have an alignment tool?
Here is the link to my Dasher.http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...nging-it-back.

[90quattrocoupe]

So i need some help...I got all new bushings for my 4 SPD tranny. Only issue is that i still have a lot of play! Can anyone help me out with this... Does anyone have an alignment tool?

Alignment tool has been NLA, for quite a while.

Greg W.

[Rogue Leader]

If it works anything like the 5 speed fox, finding 3rd gear and having someone hold it in place is a good baseline to start with.

[KRAMMIT]

I just replaced all of my shifter bushings about a week ago...before dissembling the linkage; select REVERSE from the cabin.....when you take the linkage apart from beneath...grab hold of the gear selector shaft coupling and move it through the gears so you are familiar with which gears are which....then, considering HOW the shifter would have to move to engage REVERSE; move the selector shaft coupling so that the gearbox will be in reverse (you will FEEL the FAMILIAR CLICK!)....then put your bushings in the two halves of the linkage brackets....tighten everything back into place......and that is about ALL you can do....if you have ANY PLAY in your gear selection with NEW bushings installed....just keep in mind you are driving a TWENTY YEAR OLD PLUS VEHICLE.....and THAT is about as GOOD as it GETS....!!!

When the lower right bushing within the linkage CHECKED OUT on my Wagon a couple Mondays back; on the way to work; leaving me with ONLY 1st, 3rd, & 4th....I was quite HAPPY just to have access to ALL my GEARS AGAIN...!

Best of SUCCESS getting your set up to YOUR LIKING...!!!

P.S. Here is a link to my thread with pics where the bushings were installed...the bushing operation is about 7/8 the way down the second page...hope this helps...:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...-Fool.../page2

[alaincopter]

Even if the linkage is misaligned, it shouldn't have play in it after new bushings... Are you sure you got the correct size bushings?

Nowadays, you'll often find 5-speed bushings kit being sold as a "one size fits all" deal - like on Parts Place Inc - they do provide different bushings for the ball on the bottom, but the two lower side bushings aren't the right size. The diameter of their hole is too big for the 4-speed's selector shaft T coupler or whatever it's called.

[QuantumSyncro]

Even if the linkage is misaligned, it shouldn't have play in it after new bushings... Are you sure you got the correct size bushings?

Nowadays, you'll often find 5-speed bushings kit being sold as a "one size fits all" deal - like on Parts Place Inc - they do provide different bushings for the ball on the bottom, but the two lower side bushings aren't the right size. The diameter of their hole is too big for the 4-speed's selector shaft T coupler or whatever it's called.

bingo...someone selling 5 speed bushings as workable for 4 speed linkage. I've read mixed reviews on parts place inc before.

[QuantumSyncro]

As for the adjustment of the shifter / linkage without a guide plate, I used a big socket to keep the shift rod vertical in the car. I might have even taped it to the tower to keep it in center neutral position. The position of the shift T at the back of the transmission determines where everything fits properly.

I matched the T at the end of the shifter lower linkage to the lateral alignment of the transmission shift shaft T (while in neutral) and fixed the linkage at that point.

Fore and aft alignment is only critical for reverse selector (to a point)....and even then it's hard to say at what point the shifter is too far in one direction to make engaging reverse a problem.

I just always assumed that the shift rod (in car) should be at full vertical when the trans was in neutral with no force on the trans linkage.

Even with good bushings there's a decent amount of play however, if you do this it does take a lot of that play out of the equation.

Steve