5 sp gearbox trouble

[normal rules]

I suspect i have a worn gear linkage prob. I have viewed the excellent threads on wiki for refurb of gear linkage from front to back. However my symptoms are as follows:
I have to press the gearstick down to engage 1st gear (in the same way as you do to engage reverse)

Is this symptom typical of a particular part failing ?

[marlinowner]

Not sure, but think you have to do this if using 4-speed linkage with 5-speed box, is the 5-speed original?

[normal rules]

That's a good question. How do I check this? It's an 85 autosleeper dg engine. I only think they did a five speed?

[pionte]

This is as it should be, ( I believe ) , I have the 5 speed box and it is a push down to select first, and also reverse , I must admit to not particularly liking it !

[marlinowner]

I don't have to push down for 1st on my 5-speed...

Just downloaded the 1985 Autosleeper brochure, it says 4 speed as standard and 5 speed as option, probably a VW manufacturing sticker somewhere that has original specification but I don't know details on finding/deciphering that.

[normal rules]

I've had some work on my van at a local vw specialist. He claims it should NOT be like this and suggests a refurb of the parts that are subject to wear, plastic bushes etc. He reckons it should move smoothly into first with no pressing of gear lever at all.

[marlinowner]

According to handbook, push down for reverse but not first on 5 speed, push down for G/crawler gear on Syncro.

You will have to press left against spring loading though.

[normal rules]

I guess I'll only know when I get underneath and have a look. I suspect after 30 years there will be some wear so I'm planning on a total replacement of all wear parts on hear linkage. Just wondered if anyone had specific experience of this and what the specific prognosis was. I am learning being a newbie to the t25 scene that it's best to get underneath and get my hands dirty to see what's what.

[pionte]

watching this thread with interest, I had always assumed that it was normal to press down , A total refurb of the gear linkage is on the list of jobs, but is not a high priority at the moment as i can select all the gears , I just need to concentrate as some bright spark has put first in the wrong place

[normal rules]

Ferraris have the same problem dog leg 1st lol

[ajsimmo]

No press down needed for 1st on a 5 speed. It sounds like you definitely have a 4sp lever.

[normal rules]

so how do i tell if it is a 4 speed linkage?

[silverbullet]

I wrote a comprehensive reply fairly recently in this very subject.
Put simply: if the gearchange box under the floor has a pair of 13mm a/f bolt heads showing at the bottom, its a 5-speed.
The lever has a side plunger, the bolts secure a pair of alloy pyramids.

[CovKid]

4 speed movement and assembly looks like this underneath

[RogerT]

That is quite a cool animation! In other news, my 5sp not only needs some kind of persuasion to get into 1st, it often exits 1st with a metallic screech (from the lever pivot, not the gearbox!!) Normal driving is usually accompanied by a metallic tinkling from the gear lever pivot.

And I suppose someone will be along to tell me that's not how it should be, eh?

It's just a matter of priorities...