Gear linkage 1.8 clipper

So the gear linkage (?) became really rattly. I think it's called the linkage it's where it meet the selector.

Is their meant to be a bush round it or is it is what it is? As it's rattling around in the hole - attached some pics as I probably make no sense. 

You can get a refurbishment kit for the gear linkage, not expensive and it's best to do them all in one hit.

Just google it.
You will appreciate the difference!  

Thanks for speedy reply mike! Is it a garage job or a bottle of beer and a Sunday afternoon job? 

NeilR said

Thanks for speedy reply mike! Is it a garage job or a bottle of beer and a Sunday afternoon job? 

Your welcome.

I had mine done while I was having my clutch replaced so I wasn't there.

But I've got a feeling you do need to get under the car but let's wait for a while until someone with more hands on experience sees this post!   

Golf Cabrio said

NeilR said

Thanks for speedy reply mike! Is it a garage job or a bottle of beer and a Sunday afternoon job?

Your welcome.

I had mine done while I was having my clutch replaced so I wasn't there.

But I've got a feeling you do need to get under the car but let's wait for a while until someone with more hands on experience sees this post!   

Did I hear my name mentioned?  It's a fairly 'Simple' job to do in theory.

The re-furb kits are easily available from Classic VW or Heritage or indeed ebay.

It's just a case of taking the entire linkage apart bit by bit and pushing out the old bushes and slotting in new ones and then give them all a little bit of grease (suitable for plastic) and then re-fitting.

It's quite a complex system though so be sure to take lots of pics as you take it apart. It's easy to get things the wrong way around when putting it back together.

You will need the front of the car in the air and be able to get underneath it to get the gear selector out.

The really pain in the neck is getting it all back to selecting all the gears again.

The haynes manual explains the process quite well actually. The biggest issue is holding the plastic hook on the selector 15mm from the case of the gear selector housing. We ended up making a wedge to put into the gap (actually a small relay from a 90's toyota is the perfect size) and then tape it into place.

It's fiddly and annoying and a patient friend is very useful!

I actually got annoyed with it! and generally I don't get annoyed.

If you want it to feel a bit more positive a weight from a mk2 or mk3 can be found in a scrappy. There is a bit of drilling and welding of the weight to the mk1 selector arms and its feels much better.

The currently angled crank piece that bolts to the gear box directly can also be taken off and given some heat and belted to more of a 90 degree angle and weirdly it works as a short shift mod. It makes the throws on the gear stick shorter and a bit closer together.

Good luck

Ian  

Great post Ian! 👍🏼 😀

Just be sure to get the correct kit,  4SPD Or 5spd.

4spd


5spd


The hardest part is getting the relay shaft out, as you may have to jiggle it a bit.  

Replacing the link bushings is easy, and you do have to get the front up in the air to get under it.  If you haven't cleaned the undercarriage then you get the proverbial stuff in your eyes.  Takes probably 30 minutes or less.

The main shift rod bearing may be worn, but you don't need to remove the bits to remove it.

Drill the rivet.
Slice the old out (lengthwise to the shaft.
Slice the replacement down one side lengthwise.
Slide it over the shaft, replace cover, and either "Pop" rivet it or nut and bolt, use a self locking nut.

For the adjustment see www.cabby-info.com as she has a how to on that.  The easiest is using a Cassette Tape for a gauge.

Usually replacing the links is all you need as the adjustments are rock hard unless you messed with them.

Missinglinkz has a short shift lit that you bolt on that reduces the arm movement, I bought one and it worked great.  

I added a weight to the straight "ROD" and it gave my shifting a more positive feel.  

You can buy kits from places that go for 100-200 bucks, but the missinglinkz does what the more expensive ones do.




 

Thanks for all this guys! Love this community already!

This is probably a bit much for me. New bushes turned up from VW Hertiage and going to get the garage to swap them over. 

NeilR said

Thanks for all this guys! Love this community already!

This is probably a bit much for me. New bushes turned up from VW Hertiage and going to get the garage to swap them over. 

Good idea, I did the same only because I had the clutch done at the same time. Work smart not hard is my motto! 😉👍🏼

Mines. I'll probably b***er it up and then need to get it towed so may as well get them to do it.

Think mine may need a clutch at some point it's really high ATM. 

NeilR said

Mines. I'll probably b***er it up and then need to get it towed so may as well get them to do it.

This is exactly what happened to me and I ended up having to get it towed from my mother-in-law's drive to the local garage who still didn't do it right.      

Got it booked in at a VW specialist to get it done properly, wish I'd done that to start with!