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Shift Coupler - Rod Bushing - Clip and Stock Shifter Installation:
Video Overview:
If your VW is not shifting properly or the shifter has gotten sloppy it might be time to replace the shift coupler and shift rod bushing. It isn't an easy job but the pay off is well worth it. Follow along with our tech as he shows you how to install the pieces necessary to make your shifter work smoothly.Products in this Video:
Video Tips:
Remove the rear seat bottom.
Remove the screw for the shift coupler access plate and remove the plate (Philips screwdriver).
Remove shift coupler grub screw (8mm wrench).
Remove shift coupler through bolt (Pair of pliers and 8mm wrench).
Remove the shift coupler from the transmission.
Remove the 2 bolts holding the shifter from tunnel and then remove the shifter (13mm wrench).
In the front trunk, remove access plate on backside of spare tire well (Philips screwdriver). Then remove the front apron plug (8mm wrench/socket).
Underneath the front end, in between the torsion tubes of the front suspension, remove the 2 bolts holding the frame head access plate and remove the plate (10mm socket).
Starting at the shift coupler access plate, push the shift rod forward as far as you can.
Use a pair of pliers to push the shift rod forward through the shifter hole in the tunnel. Continue pushing the rod all the way forward to the front of the frame head.
From underneath the front end, reach inside the front frame head and pull the shift rod out.
Guide the shift rod through both of the holes in the front apron to remove it. Pull off the shift rod bushing clip and any remnants of the old bushing and clean wipe any excess grease and debris off the shaft.
Insert the bushing and clip into the hanger inside the tunnel. (The hanger is accessed through the hole for the shifter.)
With the shift rod clean and lightly greased, slide it through the access holes in the front apron and into the access hole in the frame head.
From underneath the car, guide the shift rod into place in the shift rod bushing and hanger and push it back as far as you can.
Use a pair of pliers to pull the shift rod all back through the shifter hole in the tunnel. Pull the shift rod back until the shift rod cup is in place at the shifter hole in the tunnel.
At the shift coupler access hole, slide new shift coupler on transmission, install grub screw and tighten (8mm wrench). Use Loctite or safety wire to ensure grub screw does not loosen.
Install bushing on one side of the shift coupler and pull the shift rod up into place.
Insert through bolt through the remaining bushing, then through the shift coupler, shift rod and opposite bushing.
Tighten shift coupler through bolt (pair of pliers and 8mm wrench).
Install shifter making sure the reverse lockout plate is installed correctly (long side ramp is on the right and pointing towards the front) and tighten the two 13mm bolts.
Put the rear seat bottom back in place.
In the front trunk, install access plate on backside of spare tire well (Philips screwdriver). Then install the front apron plug (8mm wrench/socket).
Underneath the front end, in between the torsion tubes of the front suspension, install the frame head access plate and install the 2 bolts (10mm socket). Installation is now complete.
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