i AM ABOUT TO THROW IN THE TOWEL

[weldvair]

I found out today that my transaxle does not shift right. It is extremely hard to get the car into 1st & 2nd gear to the point that
the car is not driveable.

does anyone kwow of where I can get a GOOD transaxle.(1971 Karmann Ghia) or should I sell the car.

Thanks depressed-Don

[Bruce2]

Is this a new rebuilt gearbox?
Is there oil in it? Has it been changed anytime this century?

[videoguy009]

Don't throw in the towel just yet.Did you check the shifter coupler under the little door under the back seat in the middle?Also there is a shift rod bushing in the tunnel under the shifter towards the rear of the car.If either one is in bad shape it can cause your problem.I doubt it is your tranny as very seldom do two gears would go out at one time.If you think you have a problem,I got rear ended to the tune of 13000 dollars damage and I will get it repaired.Even if it is your tranny you should be able to get a new one for under a thou installed.A small price to keep a precious car on the road!

[Marc]

Agreed, it may very well be an external problem. But on transaxles with a brass 1/2 shift fork it's not at all uncommon for one of the three contact points to break so that when you try to shift it tilts the slider, causing it to bind (kinda like a cocked bureau drawer). Rather than try to force it into gear, try to finesse it by lightly jiggling the shifter fore & aft...if that makes it ease into gear, it's almost a certainty that one edge of the fork is broken off.
Your trans should be an "AN" with 3.875:1 R&P and .88:1 4th. An "AH" from a`69-`72 Beetle will bolt right in, but has the 4.125:1 R&P. Unless you do a lot of highway driving, the 6% difference will be insignificant to you (and make it slightly more sprightly around town). The clutch cover & throwout bearing design was revamped for `71, so a `71 or '72 would be the simplest.
There are other options such as the `73-up Beetle "AT" but that requires some alterations to fit and, although some are beefier they don't really have the most desirable ratios for your 'Ghia...still worth the effort if the price is right, but it shouldn't be hard to find a good used`71/`72 "AH" at a reasonable cost if it does turn out to be an internal problem.

[videoguy009]

I agree Marc with te bend in the forks but i am basing my experince of the last 15 years and 6 cars later that it is not the forks but who knows with 40 some year old cars.All I am saying is work from the easier parts to the hardest unless it is obvious.

[Marc]

Brass forks don't bend, they just snap off at the contact point closest to the shift rail. This leaves two extant points which are <90° apart, and they do a lousy job of pushing the sleeve without tilting it and causing it to bind.

[weldvair]

well.....I advertised the car on craigslist for $7500.

Don - [email protected]

[weldvair]

I sold the ghia

Don