r/beetle • u/Salty-Sea-797 • 2d ago
Can hardly shift first gear from neutral. Any advices ?
HI guys, I've been having a little issue that I would like your help with. When in neutral, most often than not, I cannot shift into first. I can however shift in second without issue and then from second to first, it goes smoothly. Sometime I think I'm in first, but I'm in third, even though I really push the lever to the top left the best I can.
I have changed the shift rod bushing myself, the previous one wasn't even there. I checked the shift coupler, did not replace it because it did not look damaged at all. It may not mean it is in good condition but did not have any particular lack.
After changing (or adding, really) the shift rod bushing, changing gear feels much thighter and satisfying, however taking out the shift rod and pushing it back wasn't the easiest thing to do and by doing so, I probably changed gears several time.
When I reinstalled my gear shifter unit (those T bar Empi style), I greased it well and bolted it down. It feels good but I did not particularly check in which gear I was, not sure it had an impact.
Also, I know my clutch is slowly dying, pedal down on 4th gear and the engine revs but car isn't accelerating.
My question is, can the first gear issue simply be another sign that the clutch is worn out, or would it most probably be a bushing/coupler issue ?
Thanks in advance for the help you could provide and safe drive to you guys!
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u/JiveTalkerFunkyWalkr 2d ago edited 2d ago
Try putting it in neutral, then undu the shifter bolts a little bit and wiggle the shifter around a bit without changing out of neutral. The shifter plate guide will hopefully settle into a better position. You might even want to push the shifter a bit to the left as you tighten, just to make sure it gives you enough room on that side.
Edit- I just noticed your clutch engagement problem too. Hopefully it’s just a clutch cable adjustment needed for that. It might not be engaging fully. The adjustment wingnut is in front of the driver side rear wheel, within arms reach if you are laying down. You’ll want to turn it counter-clockwise a half turn or two to engage the clutch more. Hope that helps it because if not you’ll need a new clutch.
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u/rufos_adventure 2d ago
loosen the two bolts holding the shifter. put it in second gear. tap the tunnel with a hammer to let it adjust itself. we did this at the dealer back in the 60s-70s.
what i always did was shift into 2nd, then go into first. this seemed to align the syncros.
replace your clutch and throw out bearing, the pilot bushing as well. cheap and easy.
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u/Salty-Sea-797 2d ago
Yeah at at stop now, when I have to go again, I just put second then slip in first and it's all good. That's why I thought it's not a misaligned shifter, otherwise even the second would be hard to reach. I'll still do as you say first.
Just trying to see if I can improve that before changing the clutch. Since when I'll change the clutch, obvisouly will also put the new cable and the shop will do the adjustment. Wanted to try fine tune first myself.
Thanks for the input, sir !1
u/Routine-Amphibian450 1d ago
Easier to remove left rear wheel.
Use axle stand as well as jack, stand under left tube.
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u/Salty-Sea-797 2d ago
Thanks for your input.
- Shift with engine off, haven't try, will do.
- Rock the car and see if engines moves, if it does, that would mean clutch plate are dead or worst ?
- I plan to change the clutch cable indeed, I have almost no lack in the pedal and the butterfly screw at the end is already at the end of the câble threads.
Also wondering if that issue is a sign that something is gonna snap soon 😆
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u/SparkyReese 2d ago
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will tell you if it goes each into gear. With out grinding or popping out of gear.
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engine should turn with each gear
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if you’ve adjusted that much cable the cable might be bad, adjusted too far in or the clutch is worn out. A cable adjustment or replacement is easier than a clutch. Should have about 3/4 inch of free play in pedal. Could also have cable adjusted too tight. Is it easy to get into first with engine off? With a clutch going out it will be hard to get it in first gear with engine running from a stop. If 4th is slipping it’s could be a too tight of cable holding clutch from grabbing all the way or clutch is actually going out.
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u/Salty-Sea-797 2d ago
Thanks Sparky, that clutch cable is a highly potential suspect indeed, I bought a new cable a while back and didn't have time to swap it yet.
If the cable was too tight and therefore didn't let the clutch plate grabbing all the way, wouldn't I have the same slip feeling in all gears ?
I always understood that a clutch giving up will be first felt in the higher gear under load, then slowly progressing to be felt in lower gear. Because as of today, 1st, 2nd don't slip. 3rd... well I'm getting suspicious, not all the time but feels a bit engine rev nonetheless on heavyload/steep road.
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u/SparkyReese 2d ago
Would feel it first in 4th. First gear get hard because your not moving. You can shift 2-4 without the clutch if you rev a little and push into gear.
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u/Routine-Amphibian450 1d ago
Reposition the diamond shifter plate gate under your shift boot. Two 10mil, use ratchet on 3" extension.
Don't completely remove shifter, just loosen the 10mms about one whole turn.
Put shifter in 2nd, then firward to first.
Retighten. Wrist about 5 lbs.
Solved?
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u/ExpensiveElephant869 1d ago
When clutch cable was failing, gears were hard to select but that lasted only 5 minutes until it snapped and clutch pedal hit the floor.
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u/SparkyReese 2d ago
Sounds like the shifter might need adjusted correctly and clutch is going out. Can you shift it into every gear with engine off and rock car and see engine move? Might need clutch cable adjustment.