Date: Fri, 21 May 2010 05:59:04 +0100
Reply-To: Arkady Mirvis <arkadymirvis@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Arkady Mirvis <arkadymirvis@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Vanagon Woes
In-Reply-To: <AANLkTikfvxtDAVDE7sJBdn_m211k6K2kcFpf5ZLghOYx@mail.gmail.com>
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One has to look at Vanagon from under to understand why Germans lost the WW
II. Nothing made in Germany is simple. When I do maintenance and even minor
repair on my 1991 diesel Jetta and 1987 Westy my frustrations are expressed
in words one can hear a mile away during the hottest hours of portuguese
day. Access to practically everything is limited at least. By now my Westy,
while looking new outside has every boot everywhere rotted, falling apart,
including the shifter ball boot. Both rear door grommets are gone.
Germans must learn how to chrome plate plastics. I am positive that
everybody, except living in a rain forest, noticed how wood inside Westy has
shrunk, got out of flatnest. Look at wood furniture plastic trim. It
srunked, got out of the securing groove. Is that a heralded GERMAN
ENGINEERING? In just the first year I wrote to VW AG a letter listing 18
defects. ( both window motors failed, AC lost freon and compressor failed,
propane leaked out, headlight switch, heater switches both melted, odometer
stopped counting, original Continental tires horribly cracked.....and on and
on. Is there anyone on the list who doesn't have broken wires in the
harness connecting the doors with the body? One has to read the the messages
appearing on my inbox list to see that Vanagon is an owner headache and a
blessing for the reapairmen. Till the last Vanagon will be scrapped they
shall not worry about the security of their jobs!
Convenience Vanagon offers carries a heavy price. Read the message below
mine and see for yourself reading the last sentense. Ark
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Johnston" <inmytree1@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2010 4:27 AM
Subject: Manual Shifter Woes
>I had to replace the shifter ball on my 4-speed manual transmission in my
> 1991 GL. Now I can't get into reverse. I push down and over, and it goes
> into first. I'm following the Bentley procedure to align the shifter. I
> am
> missing a plastic tab on the front shift rod, but didn't think that would
> be
> that big of an issue. Anyone else run into this? Any ideas or guidance?
>
> I have to say, trying to get the shifter lined up has been one of the most
> frustrating jobs I've done on my Vanagon.
>
>
> Jim
> Wilmington, NC
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