311798211 Shift Coupler for VW Beetle

This one actually has the VW stamped

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The metal is very cheap flimsy stamped metal. I don't think this is an actual VW part. It has distorted VW/Audi logos stamped in it, but it's not like my 40+ year old part that has them clearly stamped in them and is a little stronger and a little better quality.I only replaced my original because I stripped the threads in the set screw hole on the cage.The piece on the new one that goes through the center that holds it all together is very cheap with a lag bolt going through it. The set screw has a hex head, but no hole for the safety wire.When I stripped my original one, I wrapped teflon tape around the threads of the set screw, and it actually worked for about 6months. The only thing that got me home was the fact that when it finally did come loose the safety wire held it in place.So right off the bat I don't like the swivel setup with the lag bolt, and I would not use the set screw that came with it.I also would have preferred some fender washers on the ends incase the rubber ever broke, the coupler would at least still get me home. The lag bolt and swivel are not long enough to add fender washers either.Another problem with this coupler is where it slips over the front of the transmission, the hole is very tight. So tight I bent the cage trying to slip it onto the transmission. I reamed it out with a dremel. And straightened the cage enough to get the rubber bushings back in.Bottom line, it's in a ziplock bag with my original square head set screw that has the hole for the safety wire. I am keeping it strictly as an emergency backup part to get me home. I would not trust it to work very long even if I had reamed it out right from the beginning and not bent it.If a much better coupler was not available for just a few dollars more I may have rated this one 2 stars. But because a good usable part is not much more, I don't think people should waste their money on a such a cheap part that needs to be modified to be used, and probably won't last very long.I ended up buying the black HD Empi coupler. That one also needed a little reaming to slip on the transmission, but the metal cage is very stout, and it comes with polly urethane bushings, a square head set screw with a hole for the safety wire, and the swivel part is much nicer and uses an actual bolt. I went to the hardware store and bought 2 fender washers, 1 for each side. I don't usually like Empi stuff, but can't imagine I will have a problem with it for a very long time, and when and if I do, it will still get me home. Overall, I would rate the Empi coupler a 4, but that's because it needed to be honed a little. It probably would have worked ok without the fender washers, but will not fit on the transmission without at least sanding the powdercoating off the inside.

The quality of this part does not match the effort that it takes for a long term perfect fix. After installing, I see what the part does and the main rod holding it together is quite flimsy. For about 10 dollars more there is a much better made part available that is worthy of your time spent to install it. That said, my car shifted like brand new after I installed this part. I just have serious doubts about how long it will hold up. It's a 1-1/2 hour job at most. Watch the YouTube for some critical tips that will make your life easy.

Metal case is very thin.The old on is 3 times thicker.I only used the bushings with the old coupler.Will buy from empi for the next one.

Artículo de buena calidad

It seems to be a high-quality part Made well and it fits the need for connecting Volkswagen shifters to the transaxle

Maybe there's a QC issue because some reviewers have gotten decent ones - mine was pretty mangled; the securing screw hole was drilled crooked and off-center, etc. However, the rubber pieces appear to be stock, are stamped Germany and VW, and they fit the old metal carrier perfectly so I just cleaned it up and swapped out the disposables and it works great.