Gear linkage shift rod question. Please help!

I have had all the gear linkage bushes replaced and had the gear linkage all set up from the garage. This was done a few weeks ago at the garage, and I had a problem the very next day . The gears were going in very nice and all felt great. However I was doing a 3 point turn on a steep hill and all of a sudden I could not get into first gear. I managed to drive it back home using 2nd and alot of gas. I took it back to the garage. They told me the rod that connects the pinch bolt was a little worn out but they have tightened the nut as much as possible. Everything seems spot on now. When I asked the mechanic if I need to get a new shift rod, he said the gears are spot on now and didnt say I would need it. Do you recon the mechanic did not tighten the pinch bolt properly in the first place, but did not want to tell me this as it looks bad on them? I am worried that it may come away again. Should I change the shift rod, and can they get worn like that? Also is there something I could do to stop this happening again for peace of mind?
Thanks

If it's worn then probably best to replace it as they are only cheap.
Not much £ for piece of mind!! 

it was probably the pinch bolt not done up tight enough is all, I've made the same mistake a couple times

cavs said

If it's worn then probably best to replace it as they are only cheap.
Not much £ for piece of mind!! 

Thanks mate. Do you have a link to the part required as not entirely sure what it is. The mechanic said it was the one that lined to the 'pinch bolt' How easy is it to replace? How can I keep the linkage all nicely set up? Can I mark it before I remove it so everything goes back the way it was? The gears are going in really nicely .

its the rod from under the gearstick all the way into the engine bay, nothing really to go wrong there though the end is splined it probably was just not quite tight enough

I recon so……Took the golf out for a long enjoyable drive today and gear change was spot on. I think I had a backfire in the exhaust today though just as a car overtook me however not sure if it came from that car! However ( as you will know from my other posts), I am getting a little misfire from time to time. I will buy the Beru 3 prong spark plugs as the old ones haven't been changed.The distubuter is in good order and so is the rotor arm however it is not new. The ignition leads are all good. Could the timing be out even though it has just left the garage with the timing having been set. I am also noticing on standstill the engine seems to be a little erratic although the rev counter seems to stay put ,

I recently replaced all the worn items in my gear linkages and because I didn't adjust the gap at the gearstick end properly it went into 1st about 3 or 4 times and then stopped.

Had to get back under and tweak the rod you mention by about 2 splines, not a lot when you measure it, maybe 2mm, been fine since with 250 miles under its belt.