The shuttlecocks are not a lot of use as @mikedjames says. The bush bottom right of your picture might be the one, difficult to see on the picture. I got mine from Schofields but it was a long time ago, can't remember which one. It's a September '72 made one....probably ready for doing again.
@Meltman & @mikedjames Thanks the one in my pack does look like the one Schofield sell. Ill ask them if theirs is any different to my brazilian one
Take off the pedal pan and take a picture looking up at the base of the gearstick - the bushing assembly is just forward of the gearstick. I think your rear coupler looks OK from the video.. while the front bushing is gone. Actually from the amount of slop sideways its probably the earlier bulkier bushing. The newer one is quite thin so even without a bushing the wobble would likely be less.
There are some photos of that earlier in the thread. They are probably poor, so ill take some more, tomorrow hopefully
2nd attempt at photos. Its quite cool under the van, i may sleep under it tonight! I removed a bit of grease, & took my new front guide sleeve with me. It looks roughly the same size as the external bit that i can see
You can see where the front bush below the gearstick has worn allowing slop and play. A new bush required!
Yes, I can see the rod, thats early running in a metal sleeve so the tubular white plastic bit will be right... Every place VW could cheap out after 1973 they did..
Does this coupler definitely need changing then? Cleaned it up and it all looks alright to me.....but I don't know what a knackered one looks like, other than what @mikedjames said or if the rubber was completely missing like the OP's. Do these videos show you knowledgeable people if it should be changed or not? 1st vid In gear and waggling the stick: Is this too much flex/movement in the coupler? 2nd vid waggle in gear and then through the gears. I went under the van with every intention of changing the rear coupling. Last time I tried to sort something that wasn't that bad, I made it worse! I know the front bush needs doing, but there is no way I'm attempting that on my own.
To be honest the rear coupler doesn't look that bad. There seems a bit of movement in the rubber bushes and the centre bolt but I've seen worse. It will need changing at some point but I don't think it's contributing too much to your poor gear selection. Do the front one and see how it feels. Where abouts in Sheffield are you @paulcalf ?
is there any easy fix for that? I replaced my front bush a long time back when i first got the bus - made an improvement but as you say, the hole is bigger (worn by not having a bush in place) which adds some slop - is there any easy way to address that?
If you get stuck I may be able to help. I'll have to consult with the diary first. I'm S26 near J31 M 1
An easy, but fiddly, way is to fit a shim in the groove of the bush. A bit off a sardine can will do, it’ll distort as the bush is fitted but will be round once it’s massaged into position and the shaft is pushed into the now tight bush.