Help with Gearchange

Hi guys, are there any decent mechanics in and around Bradford who know what they are doing with a Mk1 GTI??

I am having problems engaging first gear and cant fix it myself.

Hi mate, nowhere near you but, is it difficult to find as in its not there or crunchy? If its the first its probably the gearstick housing it is a simple fix the bottom of the gearstick has a ball on it with two locating spiogots the spigots wear down into the housing making it difficult to get first often getting reverse instead

Hi Taff, it never slips into reverse but first is never there. I have to go into second and then back into first and that way it goes in smoothly!

Dont know where to go with this..

Sounds to me like one of two things sorry if its stating the obvious first gears shot, the housing i spoke about oh it could be a badly worn clutch but unlikely as its only in first thats 3 things lol

Search this in ebay 391181619130

Have you tried pushing down on the gearstick (as if you were going to get reverse) and just going slightly to the left,but no so far as to get reverse, and seeing if you can find first gear then? If you can, then you either have worn linkages or the rod from the gearstick that goes towards the gearbox needs adjustment

(Above) much would i said but possibly explained slightly better oops...lol

I have fitted that exact kit but the round bit for the gearstick wasnt a great fit so im.still using the old one which has alot of play up and down.

Do u think it might be an adjustment issue? I hear of 'adjusting the spindle' whatever that involves….

Tabbi said

I have fitted that exact kit but the round bit for the gearstick wasnt a great fit so im.still using the old one which has alot of play up and down.

Do u think it might be an adjustment issue? I hear of 'adjusting the spindle' whatever that involves….

Tabbi If you look under the car and starting at the rubber boot beneath the gearstick, there is a steel rod going towards the gearbox. At the end of that rod, there is a bar clamped to it, if you undo the clamp and pull the bar off, you can move the position of your gears in relation to your gearstick……….this is only useful if you can only get 1st gear by pushing down on the gear stick to to get past the reverse safety gate. 
NOTE: if you do undo the clamp, clean it and MARK IT with something beforehand as it helps knowing where you started at, takes a few attempts to get right