I have a 74 914 1.8 that I got in the end of Jan. No problems shifting, nice and smooth. Yesterday, however I could NOT get it to go into 4th without multiple tries, and fiddling. Any thoughts/ideas?
There is NO grinding or anything, all gears are smooth...???
THANKS

Check all the plastic bushings. They get hard, old, crack, crumble, etc.
They are cheap to replace and almost always improve shifting.

Double check the set screws at the front and rear rod knuckle and at the rear.

Thanks, are they located at the end of the shifter? I’m sorry still learning things....

Where exactly are those located? Sorry to ask- still trying to learn.
Thanks

1. shifter bushing broke
2 set screws are loose
3 clutch tube broke
4 shift base bolt came loose

Sounds like one of the set-screws has come lose ...

Start with the one on the main coupler, from under the car look where the shift-rod exists the rear firewall.
There should be a rubber protective boot over the coupler, move that out of the way and look for a small set-screw.
It should be tight. If not, remove it and add a dab of (red) loctite into the threads and fasten again (small metric Allen wrench, can't remember the size).

If it has completely backed out, you might get lucky and find it inside the rubber boot.

Thanks to all that responded. So very helpful! It WAS. The set screw, unreal, such a simple thing. Thanks again

BTW, the stock set screws are considered a one time use item.

That is correct, new setscrews have extra material inside the threads that act as a thread-locker. Which technically makes them one-time use only.

That's why i said above to add a dab of red loctite, otherwise the screw will back out again.


@SteelerMike77