Talk about depressing. I was out for a little spin and shifting got a little difficult. Came back home and now I can't get out of the garage because I can not get the stick to press down and get to reverse.
It won't go down if the engine is off, either. In fact, it is rough getting into all the forward gears (engine on or off).
So, this won't be an ordinary problem of vacum or electrical contacts. I just hate taking the thing apart without any idea of what I'm looking for.
Any Ideas??
Hiya Billy,
If you having purely "mechanical" problems in getting the shift lever to go where it is supposed to go, then I would think that you have a situation with your 1. shift rod hanger and grommet 2. rear coupler or 3. the shift plate.
I'd be likely to put my money on Number One.
Mike
1970 AS Bug
Thank you, Mike.
I thought that this site had a full diagram of the AutoStick components, but I can't find it. Maybe I'd found it elsewhere and lost it in a computer crash. I will probably identify what the shift rod hanger is, but I'd love to see a diagram. Is there one on this site? Am I nuts? Has the site gotten so large I can't find things?
OK,
I pulled the wire, and unscrewed the two bolts:
1. The first framilstanyl that came out is probably what you call the shift rod hanger and grommet. It consists of the whole shift rod column with points; then a cup that the small end of the spring fits into; then the rest of the stick, ending with a hemispherical knob that has a tit that faces forward. The stick came up through a metal cover that was held down by the bolts and I'm careful to know which end of the cover is the rear- although it seems perfectly symmetrical.
I'm guessing this assembly must be the "shift rod hanger and grommet", although I don't really see any thing I'd call either a hanger or a grommet .... but what else could it be?
Everything seems intact, smooth, greased, and generally A-OK.
2. Next comes the shift plate. The shift plate shows wear, particularly on the two lips that are bent down 90 degrees. The smaller lip, right side, is rough but the longer, left side lip has some real groves worn into it. This shift plate's central opening is essentially a rectangle except for a forward, left corner that has a circular section like a small harbor- I'd guess this area has something to do with going into reverse. OOPS!!! I think I've found the problem!
The longer lip (driver's side - installed with lip down) that ends at the little harbor area, well, it seems to have a crack. It runs straight back from a spot in the harbor that is located at 6:30. The lip bends down because of the crack. I'll bet its from trying to force the stick down, for getting into reverse, but I don't know if it caused the problem or is a result of having to try and force my way into reverse.
I'm inclined to hone off the rough areas. This is probably the source of the metal powder I'm finding in the grease. And I'll try to press the bent section back up.
3. The last thing I can really see is still down in the car, a cup with a slot on the forward side. The hemispherical knob must slip into this cup. Is this the rear coupler? I can rotate it to the left a little and I can push it straight back. It doesn't show much wear except for circular rings in the bottom of the cup.
END: I'll work on the shift plate and let you know what happens.
Yes indeedy, it was the shift plate.
I got it pounded into shape, smoothed off the burs and I'm goin' for a ride.
Thanks Mike!
Happy Thanksgiving
Hiya Billy,
Nice going! That's a good example of observation, deduction, and repair.
Actually, truth be told the shift rod hanger and grommet is still just under the tunnel (slightly to the rear of the opening for the shift lever assembly). What you pulled out of the center tunnel is simply the shift lever assembly. The bottom "ball" on that shift lever assembly fits into the "cup" on the front of the shift rod. Just behind that shift rod "cup" (if you look back into the tunnel) you can (or should) see the shift rod grommet around the shift rod and it will be riding in the shift rod hanger which hangs down from the top of the tunnel.
And one more word......when you take it for a ride see how the shift action feels. You can "adjust" the shift pattern somewhat by loosening the bolts for the shift lever plate and then moving the plate around a bit. Do this until the shift pattern feels good for you.
Mike
1970 AS Bug