Hard going into 1st gear

Hi All,

I've had a new refurbished gearbox put into my vw mk1 golf gti dx engine. With a new clutch and new short linkages, about 6 years back.

Was working fine, but remember when parking it up along time ago it had a difficulty going into 1st. Its been sat a long time. I recently took it out this year just found 1st gear was hard to go in, really have to force it in, or move off in 2nd. All other gears are good. It doesn't do it all time time only sometimes.

I've got a feeling it could be something to do with the gear lever ball joint/linkage bar under the car?

does anyone have a diagram of all the gear linkage components?
 

From driving these critters since the 70's even my Brand new to off the showroom in  81 it would grind in first when down shifting rolling to a stop.  

Shifting can get out of wack if your Transmission /engine mounts are worn.  The Drivers side or RH side and cause the transmission linkages to bind and go wacky.

I would suggest that you replace the linkages (there are 4 and 5 spd versions so get the correct ones). then follow the below link to re-adjust them.

If it still grinds or is tough to go in to first welcome to DubHood.  Just come to a complete stop, and shift from second to first with no bind or grind.  It became a habbit for my Rabbits.

https://www.cabby-info.com/files/transmission/ShifterLinkageGuide_5speed.pdf

From a former tech on dubs I learned a Trick for the main Delrin Bushing for the long shaft, and that was to
Cut the new bushing from Left to Right down one side.
Spread it apart and put it over the shaft it will close and the fitment in the rear carrier will hold it in place.

Quicker and easier than removing the whole shooting match.

Wow! Thank you so much Briano. The pdf with all the diagrams is perfect. Just what I needed.

I will follow your advise in regards to linkages and aligning.

Thanks again, will follow up on how i get on