73 bug shifting problems

Hey all,

Need a little info on problem and fix.

I have a 73 bug (not superbeetle).

1st problem - sometimes while parked and getting ready to pull out of parking spot and trying to get the car in 1st gear, I must put the car in reverse, drive in reverse for a few inches, then pop the stick into 1st gear to get it to go into 1st gear.

2nd problem - This one has gotten worse over 2 weeks or so. While driving, especially once I get it up into forth gear, I am unable to get it into 1st or 2nd gear. Say I am driving along, I come to a turn I want to make. I slow down and try to shift into 2nd as I make the turn. Nothing, just grinding noise. If I stop my bug and try to get it into 1st, it won't go. I can shift into second(or what I think is second) but is actually reverse(if I apply gas, I actually go in reverse). So it's as though I have lost 1st and second gears once I get going. But again, if I back up a little, I can pop it back into 1st gear and go along my way. So if I come to a stop light, I usually have to get the car going in 3rd which can sometimes be a bit of a pain if the car behind me is to close to back up and pop it into 1st. Now, this doesn't happen everytime I drive it, it has gotten worse the past couple of weeks, but it doesn't happen everytime I drive it.

Any help or info would be greatly appreciated since I am at a loss.

Thanks in advance!

Could be something as simple as a linkage problem. Check the bushings.

But more likely the synchro in the transaxle is gone, or going.

Rebuilt tranny time.

Was afraid of that. Never had any experience getting transmission fixed in a bug, only in newer car and it wasn't cheap. Any ideas of how much this is going to cost me?

thanks for your help.

Trans swap is relatively easy. Just a few bolts, linkage, wires, etc.

There's 3 ways to do this.

1. VW shop-probably around 5 bills.

2. Do it yourself with a rebuilt trans. About $350.00

3. Do it yourself with a junk-yard (good-used) transmission. About $125.00 or less

Either way, I'd plan to replace the clutch at the same time, unless you know for a fact that the clutch is fairly new. (Clutch-pressure plate-T/O bearing Kits are around $100.00) Easier to do it now, when the engine is out anyway, than have to pull it again.

Repack the CV joints and replace the boots while you're at it.

Thanks for all your help Boatcop, I will start shopping around for a rebuilt one and see about doing it myself.

Can you suggest any good VW books that might help in doing this myself since I am fairly new at working on my VW engine. Plus, if it envolves taking the engine out of my bug, I am going to need all the help I can get! :)

Get the Haines VW manual. Your Autozone or similar auto parts store should have it. If not, they can order it for you. It's for VW Bugs and Ghias 1954-1979. Has step by step instructions (including pictures) for just about any repair and/or maintenance on the Bug.

Don't let these things intimidate you. There isn't anything simpler to work on than the Classic VW Beetle.

Good Luck! :smokin:

I just saw in your profile that you're in Phoenix. Check the phone book for your closest BAP VW parts house. There are 2 or 3 over there. Or I also recommend Karl's Kustom on Indian School and (I think) 42nd St. Either one will have just about everything you'll need.

Yep, Karl's helped my Bug pass emissions this year, great bunch of guys, they have helped me out more than once since getting my Bug last year.

But I really want to learn how to work on my Bug myself so I will be on the lookout for a manual this weekend.

Thanks again for the help and info.

P.S. - Saw your homepage, La Paz for you? MCSO for me. :)

did you try adjusting clutch .

No, haven't tried doing anything with the clutch. Actually, haven't had time to do anything with my bug yet. I have been driving my bug from place to place and really haven't had to many problems with it lately. Do you think that if it was a transmission problem that I would have problems with it all the time?

Hopefully I will be free in the next two weekends so that I can further look into my problem.

Thanks for the tip though, never really thought about the clutch. Just kind of figured it being a transmission problem.

If the sychros go then I think you will just get a bunch of grinding when you try and shift. You ought to be able to shift in all gears but first & reverse of course, without the clutch. Seems to me the the nosecone is going to heck, but I'd check the bushings first like BoatCop said. Old VW's should never die.

If it had a bad sync ring for 1st, you'd still be able to shift into first easily while the car wasn't moving. I'd suspect linkage first, then clutch free play (or sticking).

Could still have weak or worn sync-rings too. It's too bad these trannies are so tricky to rebuild. You need special tools and a jig to hold the gear carrier when adjusting shift forks and special tools for getting the pinion nut off and for adjusting ring and pinion when replacing final-drive bearings.