Gear Pop

[JVVW70]

Hey guys back with another question.
Bare with my horrible story telling.


So as you can tell from the title this has to do with my 1970 Autostick popping out of gear.
So let me give you some details.
So back a couple months ago. I found it relatively easy to shift from 1st to 2nd no problem. Up and down. Could do it with a finger. But that was my problem. Simply leaning on it would cause it to disengage go to neutral and shift to second. Easy shfiting? A little bit too easy for me.  So I looked how to adjust this. So it wouldn't of course.  Looking in a VW Autostick Handbook I found that something with screwing down the stick would make it easier or harder to shift. Something along the lines for the sake of me can't remember. So I did that. At the time knew what I was doing. Got it to be able to put a little pressure down and then shift so it's wasn't so flimsy. So where I liked it.
After a while the bushings that hold the shift rod (which can be seen by opening the compartment under the  back seat next to the battery ) gave out. So I replaced it. Had a mechanic do it.

It became a sturdy shift. Up down. Stood in gear. Loved it.

Now it seems it's hard to put in first. I have to physically push up to the right and a little bit to the left to get it into 1st gear. Now it'll  stay but when I have it in second it randomly pops while driving or idle into neutral.

Maybe I have to adjust again like before maybe not?
Easy fix? Inexpensive? Maybe hopefully.

Thank you for your answers and advice. 
-John

[68autobug]

Hi John

hopefully, it isn't something major.. there is a small white nylon bush below the gear shifter base in the tunnel under the rear bolt..
its difficult to replace but very cheap to purchase.. under $10..  that would have a similar effect to the worn bush in the nose of the gearbox..  You can have the gear shifter points adjusted so its very sensitive...
so when You touch the gear shifter knob.. You are disengaging the clutch...
so long as on the top of the gear shifter adjuster -- the slot must be front-back.. so the gear shifter pivots when You move it forwards or backwards.. [spring loaded].. but not sideways..

cheers

LEE