No Reverse - 1985 VW Rabbit Cabriolet

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loeb1@telus.net - 23 Sep 2007 00:09 GMT

Folks,
my reverse just stopped working. Forward 1 - 5 still there; however,
can't put the shifter into reverse. Clutch was replaced about 12
months ago.

Is there an adjustment? Any ideas?

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Nate Nagel - 23 Sep 2007 00:12 GMT

> Folks,
> my reverse just stopped working. Forward 1 - 5 still there; however,
> can't put the shifter into reverse. Clutch was replaced about 12
> months ago.
>
> Is there an adjustment? Any ideas?

Is your clutch releasing completely? IF there is a little drag on it,
it will make it very difficult to get into reverse (will result in
grinding.)

What's it doing? If the shifter won't physically move into the reverse
gate I suspect worn bushings and shift arms, might be time for a
complete rebuild. If it is grinding and not going in, I would tighten
up the clutch cable a little.

good luck

nate

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Madesio - 23 Sep 2007 04:33 GMT

On Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:09:27 -0700, loeb1 wrote:

> Folks,
> my reverse just stopped working. Forward 1 - 5 still there; however,
> can't put the shifter into reverse. Clutch was replaced about 12
> months ago.
>
> Is there an adjustment? Any ideas?

Nothing wrong with your clutch. What you are experiencing is a failure in
your shift linkage system, most likely due to deteriorated bushings. You'll
need to have them inspected and replaced as needed, with your shift
linkages being re-adjusted to specifications post repair.

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Dave - 23 Sep 2007 16:34 GMT

> Folks,
> my reverse just stopped working. Forward 1 - 5 still there; however,
> can't put the shifter into reverse. Clutch was replaced about 12
> months ago.
>
> Is there an adjustment? Any ideas?

Take it to a shop. Have them put it on a lift. Have them engage reverse
manually under the car. Manually turn one wheel, if the other doesn't turn
(in the opposite direction), you have no reverse.

Lost high (4th gear) on my Fox about a year ago. Verified same way. No
symptoms leading up to its loss.
Dave

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loeb1@telus.net - 23 Sep 2007 16:43 GMT

> <lo...@telus.net> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> > Is there an adjustment? Any ideas?

thanks for all the suggestions. The failure happened suddenly;
however, it had been difficult to find first instead of reverse. Will
start there.

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Matt B. - 23 Sep 2007 18:14 GMT

> thanks for all the suggestions. The failure happened suddenly; however, it
> had been difficult to find first instead of reverse. Will start there.

Based on that I'd suspect worn shift linkage pieces. You probably need the
kit shown here:
http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volkswagen/Cabriolet/Transmission/186/1

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loeb1@telus.net - 24 Sep 2007 14:45 GMT

> <lo...@telus.net> wrote in message
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Based on that I'd suspect worn shift linkage pieces. You probably need the
> kit shown here:http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volkswagen/Cabriolet/Transmission/186/1

Barely able to crawl under the car in the driveway. Found that that a
shift linkage piece had popped off. Able to put back and now working
again; however, will need to replace.

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Dave - 25 Sep 2007 01:19 GMT

>> <lo...@telus.net> wrote in message
>>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> shift linkage piece had popped off. Able to put back and now working
> again; however, will need to replace.

Replace all of the nylon associated connections. The kit from VW leaves
some out of the picture. Did this over 5 years ago. The remaining stuff
was available at VW, just not in the package. Had to get separately.
Dave

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