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Hi folks.

In a thread started by someone else, I shared issues I have had from time to time getting into 2nd gear when downshifting from 3rd, and sometimes back to 1st.  I have a Vintage Speed shifter in a new VMC.

I have attempted several times to adjust the shifter base and stop plate, but the stop plate is as far over to the passenger side as it will go.  I have even trimmed the carpet underneath the shifter base and stop plate.  I play with it, it seems to improve, then some time later it recurs.

Yesterday, after a handful of uneventful drives, the problem arose again.  While stopped at a four way stop sign, I could not get it in first and was forced to limp through the intersection in third.    I pulled over, moved the shifter around several times including reverse and was finally able to get it into first.  I was close to home so first and second was enough.  (I normally never have a problem going from reverse to 1st, or from 1st to 2nd but once in 3rd coming back to 2nd is the problem).

Once at home I uncovered the access plate to the shift rod coupler (?).  With the engine off and the clutch pedal depressed, I went through the gears and watched the movement of the coupler.  I started in reverse, then 1st, then 2nd and 3rd.  All seemed OK. Then d/s to 2nd and it would not go into 2nd as could be seen by the position and movement of the coupler.  But if I put my hand on the coupler and just helped it rotate a bit (passenger side down, or clockwise as viewed looking forward), it would go into 2nd.  Once in 2nd (or 1st), it seemed tight meaning there was very little rotational play, especially compared to 3rd/4th.  It appears to me the shift rod just needs to be rotated a bit more to allow entry into 2nd and 1st, but I have been unable to adjust my shifter to provide the range of rotation needed.

It seems to me that the position of the shift rod, and more importantly the cup at the end of the rod, is such that it is asking my shifter to be adjusted to the extreme end of adjustment range, and it just isn’t quite enough to maintain a reliable alignment.  Therefore I’m getting inconsistent results.

If that is true, then I’m wondering if there is some other adjustment I can make with the shift rod or coupler to put everything back to something closer to the middle of the shifter adjustment range?

Here is a snap of my shift rod coupler.

1620B200-B2EA-44C1-BCDC-5CDCAA2D2359

To help it get into 2nd or 1st, I would grab the coupler assembly and nudge it in the direction of the arrow while shifting.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Jon

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I looked closer at the end of the shift rod where the nut is against it and saw wrench flats on the rod.  So I said what the heck and loosened the nut and found the threaded rod of the coupler assembly freely rotated within the end of the shift rod.  After several attempts of making micro rotational adjustments of the coupler to change the rotational relationship between the shift rod and transaxle rod - I think I found a good spot and now all forward gears seem much better than before, at least in my garage.  Reverse feels a bit tight in the shifter assembly, maybe  some grease will help.

Time for a test drive.  I’ll bring a few tools.  

Jon

I think that was it.  I drove around town and had no problem with 1st or 2nd in either direction including twenty three downshifts from 3rd to 2nd.  The amount of play left to right that the shift knob is able to move while in gear is now about the same for 1st/2nd as it is for 3rd/4th.  Not sure that matters but before side to side play in 1st/2nd was minimal.  That makes me think I’m more centered with respect to the stop plate now.

Fingers crossed this holds.  Thanks Alan and Wolfgang for the quick help.  

Jon

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