ShopTalk Forums | Aircooled VW Tech & Restoration Help

Has anyone here had to seperate seized shifter rods. I'm changing out my bushings, boots,couplers, and hardware on my 62 Kombi.

I've got all the set-screws, & the rear coupler off finally after a few rounds w/ the Dremmel. (someone had previously spot welded the set-screws rather than changing out the coupler)

Now I've been trying to get the front and back shift rods to seperate w/ no luck. I've been letting it soak frequently w/ HD Liquid Wrench joint seperator, but it doesn't seem to be making any headway.

If anyone has done this successfully, I would be ever so grateful to hear how you did it.

At this point I have gotten the set-screw out, but the front and rear shift rods are seized together w/ rust, one inside the other w/ the coupler seized around the whole package.

Any help would be grately appreciated.

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<I>Bryan...St.Petersburg, FL
'62 11W Kombi ;^) "Monie"
'72 Beetle "Punchy"</I>

[This message has been edited by 62T2Doood (edited 06-30-2002).]

I used a large hammer. JT

LOL .... Me too. Afterall it's the "American way". Seriously though thanx for the input.

I got a 24oz. "dead blow" hammer. I tried using a big flat-head screwdriver, and a pry-bar but neither would budge either end or the coupler.

Anything else to try, that anyone can think of?

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<I>Bryan...St.Petersburg, FL
'62 11W Kombi ;^) "Monie"
'72 Beetle "Punchy"</I>

You took the shifter out right? This needs to be removed as well if you have not already removed it.

A little Liquid Wrench and creative beating usually work for me.

Good Luck,


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Adrian Pillow
'66 VW Westfalia - "Biscuit"
'67 VW Deluxe Westfakia - "Dino"
'79 Porsche 911 SC - "Cochese"

Yeah the shifter is completely disconnected and taken out. If I could get the shifter rods out, I think I could break them loose w/ a couple hours effort.

I've used about a half can of the heavy duty Liquid Wrench. They claim it to be " alot more than a penetrating oil", n but it's not working for me. I guess they never said it could perform miracles.

Thanx again, and keep 'em coming please.

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<I>Bryan...St.Petersburg, FL
'62 11W Kombi ;^) "Monie"
'72 Beetle "Punchy"</I>

you could try a little heat under there, but beware, most penetrating oil is flammable, and will catch fire. if you get the collar a dull red colour, and grip both the front & rear sections of the rod with mole grips, you should be able to twist forward & back, until the rods come apart. but be careful with the flames, do it with someone else there.and a fire extinguisher.

yea i would try the heat and vice grip trick.
worked on my 71.

I use a large open end wrench that slips through the rod, behind the collar and I hit the wrench with a hammer after heating the collar. That is more efficient than hitting the collar alone (no slippage)

Hope this helps...

As David said use a propane torch or real one if you are ok with it. Penetrating oil, then torch. Try and twist. More oil if it doesn't move. Repeat the cycle letting the oil soak in. Have water ready in case you catch something on fire. Be careful where you aim the torch. The area above in the wheelwell and the box under the seat if it has that should be cleared out. You can buy insulating pads at the hardware store for use when you solder pipes together in your house. Get one of these. Be careful of the rods. They are fairly thin tubes and you can crush them if you get too aggressive on the clamping. Use something better than WD40 as a penetrating oil. I use Aero Kroil, but it isn't real available. I have had to use the dremel and cut the coupler off also. If you do this use GOGGLES not just safety glasses. I did a trip to the emergency care to get pieces of metal out of my eye using safety glasses. They let stuff in when you're down under it so with the torch and the cutter, think safety first. I'm always tempted to think I can get by just this one quick time. Keep after it, try to keep your cool with it, they are a pain.
John

It's seemingly no use guys. I'll try again w/ the torch next weekend probably, but I'm thinking of just replacing the shifter rods all together when I get the xtra cash.

Has anyone ever bought new rods from Wolfsburg West ? or Busboys?

Thanx again for the advise.

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<I>Bryan...St.Petersburg, FL
'62 11W Kombi ;^) "Monie"
'72 Beetle "Punchy"</I>