Almost done - Linkage question

[CoBeerToad]

I've seen a few threads where after completing a clutch job, reverse becomes hard to find. I have encountered this issue. However, none of the threads seem to provide me with a solution other then to ensure the cables are pressed into the brackets. It appears to me that I just can't get the shifter to go right enough (5-speed) to get into reverse. 5th is pretty difficult too, but it is easier to find than reverse. Every time I think I got it, turns out I'm in 4th gear.

I have a old school Porsche with the cotter pin bracket dealy things on the linkages if that matters.

Any help would be appreciated. I've been working on this car for the past couple of months during my off time and the weather in Chicago is topless Porsche weather and the itch is getting hard to scratch without my car.

[woodsman]

I haven't got any direct experience because I haven't got my tranny back in yet but it's sounds like one cable is pinched or otherwise restricted. Assuming you've refilled the oil you may have to undo those cable-ends and see how well they're moving. I think one cable is moved while the shifter is moved laterally...

[Wret]

You can try adjusting this cable at the shifter:

[woodsman]

but if COBEERTOAD didn't work on this end he'd be opening another can of worms...

[CoBeerToad]

Adjusting at the shifter would be an absolute last resort. One step after using a bungy cord and a pair of vice grips to shift.

I'm sure I did something wrong. Assembling the linkage was one of my worry points as I was replacing the clutch. When it came time to attack it, I completed it within two minutes. (I used the time I had saved for the slave cylinder that I figured would be a piece of cake. I hate bleeding air from lines so I avoid it at all costs)

I'm going to double check that the two cables are seated in the bracket dealy thing, which I'm 84% sure they are.
Then I'm going to make sure that bracket dealy thing is not bent. Without a tranny jack, getting the trans in and out was a grueling task and perchance I may have forced something that bent it.
Then I'm going to have to phone a friend and lay underneath while they shift to learn how those magic cables actually work and try to determine what the problem is.

I was just hoping that because I've seen 3-4 threads about this, that this was somewhat common and that someone knew exactly what to do so I could be driving this afternoon.

[CoBeerToad]

Solved.

Because I have the early linkage, I took it apart unconventionally. At least I think it was the wrong way.



It doesn't really appear to hurt it too much. Perhaps, there may be a little more play than before. Anyway, when I installed the link in the picture, the center rubber thingy got turned around. I simply took it apart, turned the rubber thingy around around and shazam. I got reverse!