Gear linkage set up. Please help us precious.

Hi all,

Replaced my gear linkage bushes etc today all went really well however I need some advice regarding setting up the position of the linkage as I am struggling to select all gears.

Any advice would be great

Gareth

Hi Gareth,first of all how comes your post date is sunday when its saturday :? strange.
Right, i find the best way to do the gear linkage is to first of all see what gear you cant get ie:first or fifth.Once youve found out what gear you cant get,put the car on axle stands with the front wheels off the ground making sure its secure as you will need to get underneath,get something comfortable to lay on and a pillow as you could be under there a whille :wink:.
Get someone to sit in the car before you get under,once you feel its safe get a 13mm ring spanner and a 13mm socket on a rachet,get under the car and undo the pinch bolt at the end of the rod, use the ring spanner for the top of the nut and bolt,now lets say its first gear you can't  get when your ready look at the spline on the gear shift rod very closely and get the person in the car to move the gearstick towards fifth very slowly,you only want to move roughly 2 splines at a time,when it has, tighten the pinch bolt back up and then go and check your gearstick,you will know when its right when you get a slight spring before you get to the reverse gate,i start the car up and try it,but thats up to you if you want to do that.
Sometimes you can get it right first time,but if not its a case of adjusting it again,just remember if you cant get first gear undo pinch bolt and move gear stick towards fifth and vice versa if you cant get fifth

Hope that helps

Mine has the same date problem

HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM

I know this is a bit late for some but…

When refreshing your gear linkage bushes, make sure you clean off (brake cleaner/toothbrush) all the crud around the splined end of the main gear shaft..at the end where the linkage goes back up into the engine compartment.  Now before you remove the pinch bolt, put a small blob of white paint (cellulose touch-up ?..from Halfords if you don't have a white GTI) on the joint between the shaft and the lever then go away and have a cup of coffee whilst it dries off.  Now you should easily be able to align the lever back onto the shaft when you've finished your bushings.

When yer done, don't throw the touch up away, use it to mark your timing gears/pulleys to make the notches easier to find and also use it wherever else things need to go back together in the same place that they came apart.

Cheers

Wow tremendously fast reply!

Volksacre thanks very much for your detailed reply I will give this ago tomorrow with help from my apprentice aka my little sis!

Thanks again.

Yeah should have marked it up but I thought that with all new bushes it would change any how. you live and learn!

Gareth

superworm said

I know this is a bit late for some but…

 put a small blob of white paint …..on the joint

…how many times have I forgotten to do that..    

I used to use the paint,but ive done it so many times now i just keep a close eye on the splines moving, but it is a good idea to do so until you get used to doing it,another thing to do if there isnt anyone to help is to put a pair of grips on the gearshift rod and move it yourself,but you have to hold the grips and tighten the nut at the same time,it can be done but your better off with someone in the car

Volksacre,

Managed to get it sorted with a little help from Mr TallPete.

Definately helps with two people, managed to find first gear and then set the position up two that.

Thanks for your help!

Gareth

Glad you got it done ok m8,it does get easier the more you do it

I did all my bushes, replaced all the linkage rods, the relay lever and the gear lever bearing plate some months ago - made a good difference and always been able to select ALL gears.

However, it has always still felt a little sloppy in my mind - the gear lever can move sideways a lot more when in gear than in neutral! Is this right? Would the adjustment method described in this post make any difference to me or is it only for those who can't select a certain gear?

I dont know how much play there is supposed to be when its in gear, i wouldnt of thought adjusting the linkage would make any difference,best bet is to put it in gear get someone to to move the gearstick left and right and have a look to see if you can see if anything has alot of play.