remember that stick shift problem?

[Aaron <catacomb@psu.edu>]

Here's an update for those of you interested:

You were all right about the 'ball and joint' breaking.  Looks like it has
been wearing for awhile, because the 'ball' portion had broke into three
parts, the 'joint' part had several chips in it, and the 'shaft' part
(which mounts through the center of the top of the ball, but is not really
a part of the ball) has been grinded and ripped apart.

The good news is that VW had the cheapest replacement parts for this job
(go figure) .. the 'base' kit, assembled, cost $52.00.  The base kit
consists of the ball (nylon), joint (nylon), shaft support (nylon) and the
housing (metal).. each set of bushings cost $0.32 (i only had time to
replace the two closest to the stick shift shaft.. which is the first
joint.)  Too bad I couldn't find ANYONE with a metal version of this
ball/joint assembly, which I think would be far superior in quality,
performance, and feel.

The bad news has three parts:
	1.)  it was a huge PITA to get that lower-half of the plastic console out
of the car so I could gain access to the parts needing attention.  But now
that it's out, I think I'll keep it out... i dont really like the look of
that storage space thingy, and it wastes a LOT of space.. i was amazed at
all the room available between the driver and passenger. I think I'll
custom build a speaker panel with a custom gauge panel down the center, or
something to that effect... mabey add a storage drawer or cup holder?
	2.)  every bolt I touched during the DISASSEMBLY broke. I ended up having
to drill out the top-left bolt.. it was practically fused to the bolt on
the other end, and to the bottom of the car... even afer a ton of liquid
wrench.  I learned the hard way to have plenty of 6mm x 25mm bolts available.

	3.) here is the worst part... while reassembling, the bolt broke that
attaches the stick shift rod to the metal shaft that runs into the trans.
(the bolt that passes through the first set of bushings)..  I thought I
could get a quick, and superior replacement (ie hardened stainless steel)
from Home Depot, until I realize that the bolt is specially designed that
one end if much thinner than the other.  This really sucks because I can
see no reason for this oddity.  it weakens the bolt significantly, and
makes replacement a drag.

This is where I stand...  I'm trying to find this bolt. I'll head to VW..
praying that they have it in stock, because I cant drive until I find one.
If they blow smoke up my butt, I plan to widen the one hole in the bracket
supporting the stick shift, so that a standard bolt can be used as a
replacement.  Does anyone see any reason why this would not be a good idea?

Also, is it worth it to get a short stick shift kit now, or better off just
cutting my existing one down?  and if I get a short shift kit, does it make
the stick shift harder to reach (such as getting into 5th or 3rd.. is it
really worht it, do i need to get a weighted one?  and if all is good..
whats the best to buy and where do i get it/price?

If anyone wants to see pics (before/after stuff) on this whole thing, lemme
know, and I'll snap a few before I close things up.

-Aaron
 84 8V

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