Difficulty shifting gears may be due to wear of the gearbox, but the cause may also be simpler, namely wear of the coupling between the gearshift rod and the gearbox.
On the VW Beetle, Karman Ghia, Type 3 and VW Thing, the shift rod is easily accessible by removing the plate above the chassis number (VIN) under the rear seat; on the VW Bus, you have to crawl under the car to reach it.
To absorb vibrations, part of the coupling is vulcanized in rubber. As it dries out, play starts to occur in this area over time, which can make it difficult, if not impossible, to select the right gear.
You can buy a completely new linkage (see the "alternatives" tab), but if the housing is still in good condition, simply replace the rubber inserts vulcanized in plastic, as this is where the main problem lies.
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