Sloppy gearchange?

I may be wrong but having done all my linkage bushes etc etc last year, I still dont think my gear change is as good as it should be (although nothing to compare it to!)

Two items I didn't replace were the long shift rod (The one you can buy as a weighted rod) I didn't do this as was waiting to see if I could pick up a weighted rod on the cheap! However, I did replace it's bushes.

The other item i didn't change was the bracket for the gear shift rod - the one that's at other end of rod from the gear lever and just before the relay lever- the rod travels through it.

I'm not sure it needs doing but thought I'd do anyway if a few quid only. Checked with VW just now (pt no: 171 711 194G) and it's ?21.61 + VAT! Cant see it at GSF or ECP - anyone know if you can buy anywhere else for less?

Any other ideas of what I can do? Sometimes I do find 3rd instead of 5th but also when car is in gear, the lever can move a lot side-to-side - more so than when the car is in neutral! Is this normal?

Any comments welcomed
Cheers
Hairy :wink:

Check all the bushes again Hairy also check the 2 bolts below the gear stick gaiter inside,sometimes the bolts work loose and makes it difficult to select the right gear.

hairy,

I'd get it jacked up and get someone wiggling the gear stick.  Have a good look at all the linkages and see what shouldn't be moving!

Cheers chaps! :wink:

Hi folks, a bit stuck here…  I am about to replace the gear linkage bushes on my '84 Rabbit.  But, I ain't got no manual…   :dontknow:

Does anybody in the forum have a scanned copy of a Haynes manual part that describes how to do this - with an exploded picture of the gear linkage assy?   :?

If not, is anyone able to scan and email me one please?  My email here is shirley.rimmer@comcast.net.

Also got a grinding noise from the front of the car when under load.  Lots of old oil under gearbox - better check levels!

Cheers

Shirley

Theres also the 'relay lever' the bit at the bottom of the upright fastened to the steering rack. Its the bit with the round rubber 'ball' on the end. Eventually two flats get worn on either side. I think its about ?15 from GSF but make sure you get the correct 4 or 5 speed version. The 5 speed as a larger rubber ball.

I have a gen VW 4 speed version for ?5 if anyone is interested…..

Haynes pages 146/147 show the linkage

I also have a sloppy gearchange. Its really sloppy. I've had a look and the bushes are missing. So I know I need a "gearshift linkage bush kit" from GSF or similar, at ?4.25. But there is also listed, a "gearshift linkage repair kit" at ?13.50+VAT. What parts does this include which the other one doesn't (they don't have photos)? Are there a bunch of rods, with ball/socket fittings, which also wear over time?

Many thanks!

paul_c said

I also have a sloppy gearchange. Its really sloppy. I've had a look and the bushes are missing. So I know I need a "gearshift linkage bush kit" from GSF or similar, at ?4.25. But there is also listed, a "gearshift linkage repair kit" at ?13.50+VAT. What parts does this include which the other one doesn't (they don't have photos)? Are there a bunch of rods, with ball/socket fittings, which also wear over time?

Many thanks!

It depends who you talk to at GSF - I've had arguments with them coz they swear blind they don't sell certain parts when I know they do - they list em!

Anyway, what you want is the full bush set, all the linkage rods (3 off?) and probably best to do also the bearing lever plate (ball socket joint at bottom of gear stick - make sure you buy new circlip for the gear stick too) and the relay lever at end of long rod from gear lever. That short sort it all out for you. :wink:

Guys,

Thanks for all the technical - but could someone please help me by scanning the pages from the Haynes manual which tell me how to do the darned job!!  I didn't bring mine over here with me since I didn't anticipate buying another MK1 never mind changing bits of it!

By the way, I got a kit to change the bushes including two linkage rods from ebay here in the states - problem is, there are no bushes left in the linkage for me to work out which replacements go where!

Thanks

I too have bushes actually missing. My linkage actually rattles as I drive along!

I am going to get somebody who knows what they are doing on the case after next pay cheque.

Seeing as I have never done it before I would't know what bushes went were would I?

Shirl, if you have a US rabbit car go for Bentleys, search Amazon under Rabbit service manual. It's a good book.

Peter.

tallpete said

I too have bushes actually missing. My linkage actually rattles as I drive along!

I was going to get some bushes from VW when I brought a gearlinkage shaft but the chap there said they're not really needed, they're only there to stop dirt and grit getting in the knuckle joint's so didn't bother!  :dontknow:

He won't win salesperson of the year will he?

I think I'd rather have them!

Peter, rattle rattle.

tallpete said

He won't win salesperson of the year will he?

  Very true!

I'll see if I get any rattle from mine (not that I can pinpoint one rattle out of the 5 or so I have!).. might be something to add to the minor jobs list

i dont know the names of the parts but i thought the main suspect for sloppy gearchange was the unit in car (the white hard plastic bush with spring) at the bottom of gearlever :dontknow: surely thats the one that offers the difference between gears :dontknow: i know it affects reverse and fifth so a good place to start, would like to know how to just change plastic bit and not all unit, rod, big rod thing etc as never tried that, do you use your teeth?

tomo320 said

i dont know the names of the parts but i thought the main suspect for sloppy gearchange was the unit in car (the white hard plastic bush with spring) at the bottom of gearlever :dontknow: surely thats the one that offers the difference between gears :dontknow: i know it affects reverse and fifth so a good place to start, would like to know how to just change plastic bit and not all unit, rod, big rod thing etc as never tried that, do you use your teeth?

That's the lever bearing plate tomo - you're right, can make a difference but it seems to be a combination of all the parts being replaced to get it just right.

Ref fitting any of the gearchange parts, it's simple case of remove one, replace, remove one replace… just be methodical. If you are missing some of the bushes etc to start with so nothing to compare to, I think these are generally obvious too. The parts with the ball joints have a foam type washer that goes over them and I think all the other holes in arms etc share the same type of bush?

the only tricky part I found was getting the bolt/pin back through the gear lever and main shaft/rod.. it's a very snug fit and took alot of cursing to get it in!

PhillTMK1GTI said

the only tricky part I found was getting the bolt/pin back through the gear lever and main shaft/rod.. it's a very snug fit and took alot of cursing to get it in!

Yup - Wrapped knuckles time! :evil:

Hi Folks
sorry to jump in on the post….but can some one comfirm that this the linkage parts needed? (see photo)


Heres a link

http://www.awesome-gti.co.uk/vw%20golfmk1/transmission.html

that'd be the one! I was going to buy one but just didn't feel ?75 was justified..

I think most if it's still available from VW but don't know what it would total up to (probably more than that)

Erm I had this problem too folks. GSF had all the bits including the bushes in the gear stick. 2 min job to fit the longer linkages but make sure that the bushes in  the gear stick are the right way round   or a positive gear change will not be so forthcoming!
L8as.
Karlo