How do you adjust the shift linkage on your vw beetle?

Answer 1

The answer depends on the problem. If your shifting is sloppy and you're looking to tighten it up, then you need to replace the shifter bushing or the shifter U-joint. The U-joint is easier to replace. To change the bushing, you need to remove the shifter. Just behind the cup that the shifter goes in, there is a little plastic bushing that surrounds the shaft and is held in place by a metal loop hanging down from the top of the tunnel. Pull the shaft forward (towards the front of the car) and slide/pull/yank/cut the old bushing out. Take the new bushing and slide it in place. It should snap into place and be firmly held in position. If it will not snap in or if there was no old bushing, then your loop is worn out and needs to be replaced. This is a little harder and would require much more explanation. To change the U-joint, you need to remove the rear seat. Underneath an oval plate held in place with a screw, there is a metal cage holding large square rubber blocks in place. There is a bolt going through the rubber blocks that attach the cage & blocks to the shift rod coming out of the transmission nose cone. If these blocks are loose or sloppy then they need to be replaced. I recommend getting the neoprene replacements - they will outlast your car! They are usually red so you can tell the difference between neoprene and the black rubber ones. Just make sure to put a little grease around the outside of the blocks everywhere that they touch metal. They last a long time but they tend to be squeaky! A little grease will stop the squeaks. You can replace the cage if you want, but as long as it's not bent out of shape or worn through anywhere, it should be perfectly fine to re-use. I've only ever had to replace ONE cage EVER, and that's because I bent the hell out of it myself! I hope this helps you! If your problem is something else then you need to be a little more specific with your question.