lutton@inmet.UUCP (10/27/84)
<> I had a problem with my 1981 VW Rabbit (gas, 4-speed manual). It was very difficult to get into first gear. It would tend to go into 3rd instead. Later it got almost impossible. I would have to push the stick down and feel around for first between reverse and third. I asked friends. One said, "All Volkswagens do that. [All Rabbits only or Bugs too?] It is caused by transmission wear and hard braking. The only cure is to rebuild the transmission." [At 20,000 miles? I don't think he knows what he's talking about.] The second friend said, "I don't know, but mine is the same way." The third friend said, "It's just the linkage. There's a little adjustment you can make under the car. You can do it yourself easily." [I change my own oil but I don't mess with critical mechanical linkages.] Finally I took it to the transmission shop. The first time, I left it there for the day and the mechanic tried to fix it by adjusting the linkages. Not much improvement. (No charge either.) (No charge because he wasn't satisfied with the result and didn't want to guarantee it.) So I brought it back for the full treatment. The guy warned me that he would have to take the transmission out if he had to make any repairs it, and it would be very expensive. But as it turned out, he didn't have to. The shift rod and collar were worn. He replaced them and now it works fine. Slides right into gear. $90 for parts and $110 for labor, as opposed to $300 to $700 for taking the transmission out and maybe replacing the big shaft with all the gears on it. Why am I telling you this: Two reasons. 1. If you have a Rabbit you might have the same problem. You should get it fixed as soon as possible. You need first gear to get out of jams. 2. I want to ask the following: Will it happen again in 2 years? Is it really true that all Rabbits do it? If not, why do so many of my acquaintance have the problem? If so, why is it not mentioned in Poor Richard's Rabbit Book?
mac@tesla.UUCP (Michael Mc Namara) (11/09/84)
We have a 1976 (77?) rabbit that had the same gearshift problem;
and, indeed, the same fix cured the problem: Take off the boot around
the gear stick, and there is the "linkage" problem. However, we were
able to adjust a bit and avoid the purchase of a new shifter at least
until 70,000 miles. (The car has 160,000 miles now, works fine, orginal
engine)
--MAC @ CORNELL