No reverse, just need advice

Hello peoples hope you are well it's me again lol, well I got a problem and for once I know what it is basically my car doesn't engage in reverse but I can get my 1,2,3 but difficult to go in 4, I looked in the engine bay and the a link was popped out once I replaced it it was ok but kept popping out when I looked at it one of the clippy bits are broken allowing it to pop out again, on my 1.6 1982, it has 1,2,3,4 and E on the gears does this make it a 4 speed or is the E making her a 5 speed, also I know there is a post on how to change the bushes and links, are they easy to do or are they fiddley, I don't have access to a ramp but I have got axle stands and big lumps of wooden beams that I can raise her on, or would it be ok to replace the link and not go the whole hog, also are these eBay bushes any good has anyone bought them or does anyone have any recommendations where to get some good ones from, thanks again ladies and gents as usual all help appriciated in advance and I know you guys will point me in to the right direction 

Linkages are pretty easy to replace. You may as well do as many as you can while you're at it.
4+E means its a 5 speed gearbox

You mention eBay, not a particular vendor but I don't think there's much in it, any new ones are obviously going to be better than 30+ year old stuff which is broken.

Are the bushes easy to I think there is only 2 linkages but there are a hand full off bushes will these be easy ? Thanks again

Bushes are just as easy too, its just a case of access to the area.

Thanks Paul I will hopefully get some but eBay seems cheap but I rather pay more a do it once of you know what I mean lol quality not quantity comes to mind , has anyone got these from eBay or any other place

Does the car go into 5th or E?
Just because it's on the gear knob does not mean it's got a 5 speed box fitted to the car?
"E" is for economy gear, it's a tall 5th gear good for motorways (at 70 mph in "E" gear the revs are about 2000 rpm) but not good for acceleration.

You can change the bushes just jacking up the car on axel stands, you don't need a ramp. I think there is a guide on this site or it's in the haynes manual.
 

Thanks mark it does go in to E I have had issues before when the car was going in to 2 when I wanted 4 but that's to direct the lever to 4 ( push it towards 4 for it to go in to 4 other wise it will drop in to 2, I will go over that guide for linkages hopefully will help, mark1gls do you know best place for these bushes and links or anyone or will the eBay ones do the same job 

Just been looking at the gear linkage guide on the home page and had a question, from step 32 ( page 7) to 42 does this needs to be done or can I miss this bit thanks guys,

I bought my kit from veedubmachine on ebay. I replaced all the bits - the kit was £20 about 3 years ago. Made such a difference to gearchange (but them most of the bushes on mine were knackered or not there at all). I did it with the car on axlestands. Just take your time and work from one end to the other, the guide on here was really useful. At the end of it make sure you get the gap right when you tighten up under the car where the shift lever comes through the floor.

Lee

Thanks lee Il have a look on eBay, did you get the red bush and the bits that go on to the gear rod ( step 32-42 on the gear replacement guide ) thanks 

Yes, i bought the kit that replaced all the bushes, plus the two short rods, and to replace all the gearstick parts. Definitely worth doing the whole lot - not as fiddly as you might think. Veedubmachine still has them on ebay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GEAR-SHIFT-REPAIR-KIT-5-SPEED-NEW-FOR-GOLF-MK1-CADDY-SCIROCCO-/361225176452?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&fits=Car+Make%3AVW|Model%3AGolf&hash=item541ab2c584

good luck

Lee

Thanks lee, that be the one for me then hopefully get that ordered and hope all goes well thanks again guys 

Leeo, I just recieved the kit from veedubmachine and it's a 33 piece kit, am I going to
Use all the bushes supplied or is this a universal kit so I only use what I need ? Bit confused as the guide for linkage replacement on the home page seems to be only a few bushes but the 33 piece kit seems more than I need, well that what I'm thinking all help appriciated  

Hi,
i still have the remains of the kit in my toolbox! You will have quite a few bushes and felt? washer type pads left over.
all the best
Lee

A picture for you so you know what goes where.partsbase.org

 

Thanks leeo, and mark1gls, hopefully will start to do it soon just arrived today so was pleased, it looks quite straight forward lol mind you I been on the guide for the replacement everyday looking and then checking on my car where each bush goes and how to access it, thanks again guys if I get in to any muddle il come back here