The builder of my MiGi used the column and shaft out of a Super Beetle, it has a U-joint just inside the firewall which makes the angle at the rag joint reasonable.

@nauticalinfidel – There are a couple of possible causes for grinding gears. First is the clutch, is the cable properly adjusted? You should have about 1/2″ of light pedal travel before you feel heavier resistance as the throwout bearing engages the fingers. If you’ve got too much play the clutch may not be disengaging fully, this can cause the…[Read more]

…so bushing swapped out, all reinstalled.  Changed out the turn signal switch and refinished the steering wheel since I wouldn’t be driving waiting for parts.

And while getting in the car, steering wheel still removed, my pants caught the turn signal lever and broke it. 😳 👿

And, the problem I was hoping to correct – grinding gears…[Read more]

@mcgruff – thanks!

@nauticalinfidel – Assuming you have a stock VW gear shift lever assembly and the bracket inside the tunnel is not welded, the reverse lockout plate installs atop the tunnel first, long side to the right and up. The shift lever bolts on top of the lockout plate. Make sure the transmission is in neutral, then lightly snug the bolts. Align the…[Read more]

@mcgruff – definitely mouse nest.  Already replaced the seat foam and plywood base…thought that was it.  Got a ton out but will need to get the rest some other day…with a good shop vac.

My rod was welded – and thank you for the great explanation because I saw the weld when I cleaned the rod up but had no clear understanding of why.

Feeding t…[Read more]

@nauticalinfidel what is that gunk? Looks like a mouse nest.

Eric

The MiGi assembly manual (in the library) explains how the gear shift was relocated behind the e-brake handle when the car was built. The rod was removed and shortened, a hole was cut in the top of the tunnel, and a new bracket and bushing were installed. If the builder could weld, the new bracket is tacked in the tunnel, making bushing…[Read more]

Updating as I take a break…

Found the inspection port…and…well…I’ll let the pics speak for themselves.

And PEX tubing was my friend.

Since the shift rod wouldn’t move past the obstructions in the tube, I ran PEX in from the front, fished it through the shifter hole then back out with parachute cord attached.  Attached that…[Read more]

Hopefully just once…small spaces and arthritis aren’t helping things…

As I continue looking for videos…is there any way of installing the bushing without entirely removing the rod?  If not, where will I find the inspection port?

It’s a right of passage.

I’m living this pain as well…part coming tomorrow from JBugs so this weekend will be the reinstall attempt…

Yeah I managed to find a video showing tie fishing like or something to the shaft after out of coupler then pull it out.   So when you pull it back in it goes thru bushing.   Wow wish I’d found that a day earlier 😂

im goin to put a loop in shifter hole to lift rod and also took my long reach needle nose and made them fit around the shaft to gra…[Read more]

How did you get the rod out? If you removed it through the front port, you’ll have to fish it back through that way. Feed a wire through and tie it off then pull it very gently (there’s a lot of stuff in the tunnel to get hung up on).

If the rod is laying on the floor or the tunnel you have to loop something under it and lift it up. A coat hanger…[Read more]

you have to disconnect the coupler on the other end of the rod & slide it forward till it is out of the bushing (or where the bushing was ) put the bushing in the hole do not forget the little ring then slide the rod back in . I used a string around the rod to lift it back up to slide back in . check out the samba website lots of good info