<VV> 4 speed adjustment questions

[Ed Orbea]

Thanks to the list members for the responses/guidance I have received. 
Based upon the information received, I have pulled off the two tunnel 
cover pans, and examined the front control rod bushing. There seemed to 
be too mush side-to-side free play, so I ordered a new bushing.

When I examine the other end of the control rod, there is a tang that is 
bent down and engages a slot in the coupler. When examining the tang 
closely, it seem that the tang is bent to the side (clockwise when the 
control rod is viewed by looking at the transmission end towards the 
front of the car) a little bit. That would mean that the coupler does 
not lineup exactly center to center and that little offset plus the 
"loose" bushing could contribute to the problems I am experiencing. Does 
this make sense or sound logical?. If I carefully bent the tang 
counter-clockwise to center it in the slot, would that help?

Additionally when I use test-fit the new coupler there is some side to 
side play (ie. the transmission rod is not the same outside diameter as 
the space between the legs of the coupler, so if I installed some shims 
(stainless washers) to make it a tighter fit would this also help?

Now, what would happen if I did the following:
(a) place the transmission in neutral
(b) measure the movement of the shift lever, front to back and side to 
side, determined exactly where the center is, and then connect the 
coupler, so that both the shifter and the coupler were in the same 
relatively position (center of movement). Then when I mode the shift 
lever directly forward, the transmission should go into first gear. Then 
when I returned it to the neutral (center) position, and then moved if 
to the left and forward it should go into reverse, and the same actions, 
when the lever is moved to the right, should place the transmission in 
3rd or 4th. So I am would be starting from a neutral (center) position, 
instead of from reverse (as outlined in the green manual).

Finally (and sorry for the long post and multiple questions) if I either 
removed the tang or if bending it back to center position it broke. 
Would not I be better able to line up everything and use and additional 
clamp (offset 180 degrees) to secure the coupler in the rod?

Ed