1981 Volkswagen Truck 1st Gear Issue

VOLKSWAGEN
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MAZ1438
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
1981 volkswagen truck 190,000. My friend recently replaced his clutch that went out and now he is unable to shift into 1st gear. All other gears (5 spd) are working correctly. What would cause this problem and does it need to be adjusted or is the transmission bad?
Dec 21, 2006 at 5:35 AM
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DR LOOT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 2,311 POSTS
there are two things you could do wrong when you were replacing the clutch #1. you did not get to clutch cable properly adjusted #2. you bent the swivel bracket of the shifting rods and it shortened up first gear rod it will go into second but it's just not long enough to go into first most of the time you catch it on the transmission when you're pulling it out,
Jan 26, 2009 at 2:39 PM
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Suggested Repair

Check that the clutch cable is properly adjusted. Also inspect the shift-rod swivel bracket; it may have been bent when the transmission was removed, shortening the first-gear rod so first gear cannot be selected.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1981 Volkswagen truck says that after a clutch replacement the five-speed transmission will not shift into first gear, although the other gears work. The expert says the clutch cable may be improperly adjusted, or the shift-rod swivel bracket was bent during transmission removal and shortened the first-gear rod.

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