Club 80-90 Forums

Frida 1986 VWT25/T3 Water cooled, petrol 5 speed with upside down gears R 2 4
1 3 5

Just returned from a great trip from Hampshire to Whitby and home, noticed I was having difficulty getting her into R, 1st, 2nd especially when starting off and pulling away from junctions/traffic lights also when slowing/approaching traffic lights/junctions. Clutch appears to be engaging. The gear stick is of the long variety and moves extremely freely - to freely I think.

Advice please. Moran taing

Have a read up on the linkages .....
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ge ... _improving" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This very long gear stick you have ..... how long ?

I would say that they are not used to the length of them especially as they say that the gears are upside down! Lever and gears are exactly the same size and position on my Merc.

The "dog leg" first gear position does confuse the uninitiated.
Sounds like something has come loose or is very worn.

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Some people fit those silly bent extensions to the top of the lever. Probably an attempted workaround for a bent lever and worn linkage.
I usually try to persuade owners to let me fix it, then throw the extension in the bin! They are always grateful when they realise how nicely it drives when it's right. (I often hear "I just assumed it was meant to be like that" and then "Oh wow, it's like driving a car!")
Are your knuckles hitting the radio?

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Yes knuckles hit the radio.

Gear stick length is 13 inches from cover to base of gear stick knob.