Removal and installation the sliding rod (VW Beetle)

Removal

Raise the vehicle and place it on supports.

Remove the gear shift lever.

Remove the rear seat and the cover of the mounting hole of the tie rod connection on the frame channel.



Cut and remove the retaining wire (if any) on the square bolt. Loosen the square bolt using pliers or a suitable wrench.

Remove the hex bolt from the tie rod coupling clamp sleeve and remove the coupling.



[The original article is available at: VWmanual]

Loosen the bolts on the mounting cover at the front of the frame cross member. The picture shows the cover of the Kafer 1200 car.



In a car with a long front end (as in this case) a protective stamped element is installed in front of the frame cross member. To remove it, unscrew all the bolts (see arrows).



Move the rod forward using pliers and remove it. In the case of a vehicle with a long front section, the sliding rod must be rotated for removal and installation.

In the vehicle variant under consideration, remove the guide sleeve with the guide ring from the rod bushing (it can be accessed through the hole in the shift lever in the channel).

Installation

Check all parts for wear and replace if necessary.

Caution! If the sliding rod is knocking, check the bearing bushing and guide ring seat. If the gear shift lever is knocking in the head of the sliding rod, you need to fill the head of the rod with consistent grease.

Lubricate the sliding rod along its entire length with M0S2-based paste and slide it into the frame channel from the front.

Install the bearing sleeve into the stiffening bracket and put on the guide ring.




Install the sleeve so that the groove is on the side.

Slide the rod from front to back through the bushing until the rod head is centered in the hole in the frame. At the same time, turn the rod at the front so that it does not get stuck. Install the cover with the seal on the frame cross member and the front protective element.


Install the sliding rod coupling assembly through the mounting hole in the frame channel, install the clamping sleeve and tighten the hex bolt.

Slide the sliding rod connector onto the inner shift lever. Tighten the square bolt.

Attention! The bolt must enter the recess of the sliding rod. Otherwise, there will be difficulties when changing gears. Secure the bolt with wire.

Caution! Self-locking hex bolt (was installed since April 1975, had a length of 10 mm) does not require wire securing. This bolt is for one-time use.

Install the frame cover and tighten the bolts. Put the back seat in place.

Install the gear shift lever.

Adjust gear shifting.