Has anyone ever tried one of these "Urethane Shift Coupler Kit(s)" or a "Quick Shift Kit" from JC Whitney- they are very inexpensive and claim to be able to clear up the loose slop and freeplay in an old shifter to allow more accurate shifting.
I'm a little wary because of the old addage that if it sounds too good to be true, it is- but they are really tempting.
Has anyone tried one? Were they hard to install? Are they working as well as they claim to?
Thanks! Love this site- everyone's help has saved me hundreds of dollars(literally) and untold hours of frustration. I have a happy safe beetle we can drive and enjoy already- several months ahead of schedule!
Has anyone ever tried...
I have a quick shift kit, i didn't get it from jc but I'm sure it serves the same purpose. It shortens how far the shifter moves from one gear to the next and it is super easy to install, it will not get rid of slack though. The urethane bushing is probably for the coupling in the back right under the seat under an inspection plate. If your old one is worn out it will surely help, just take that plate off and look at it and you should be able to tell if it is worn out.
There is also a plastic bushing between the seats under the tunnel that the shift rod goes through that will make the shifter feel loose.
I did mine and it was a little bit of a chore but if you work on your own bug you should be able to do it. I did a search and found some pictures and was able to do it. Just took it slow and spent a couple hours but it made a big difference. It is called the tunnel bushing.
There is also a plastic bushing between the seats under the tunnel that the shift rod goes through that will make the shifter feel loose.
I did mine and it was a little bit of a chore but if you work on your own bug you should be able to do it. I did a search and found some pictures and was able to do it. Just took it slow and spent a couple hours but it made a big difference. It is called the tunnel bushing.
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Blue Baron
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fatalifeaten
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The quick shift kits are designed to be used on stock shifters, and shouldn't be used with a short throw shifter (such as the Berg shifter). You can use them in combination with other aftermarket stock throw shifters, but you do so at your own risk. They may or may not work. I ran one with my stock shifter and was very pleased with it. I eventually replaced it with a Scat Drag Fast shifter, which has also been a great shifter.
I'm with the Baron on this one. Urethane has its uses, but for the shifter coupler, go stock replacement. I've driven both, and the urethane transmits vibration forward significantly more than the rubber stock coupler does. Enough to be annoying on a long drive (which is why I switched it out for stock). Between the coupler and the forward shift bushing, replacing both *should* eliminate the majority of your slop. Keep in mind that a bent shift rod, worn nosecone or hockey stick in the transmission, broken motor or trans mounts can all contribute to slop, poor gear selection, and overall funky driving.
I'm with the Baron on this one. Urethane has its uses, but for the shifter coupler, go stock replacement. I've driven both, and the urethane transmits vibration forward significantly more than the rubber stock coupler does. Enough to be annoying on a long drive (which is why I switched it out for stock). Between the coupler and the forward shift bushing, replacing both *should* eliminate the majority of your slop. Keep in mind that a bent shift rod, worn nosecone or hockey stick in the transmission, broken motor or trans mounts can all contribute to slop, poor gear selection, and overall funky driving.