Gear selector is like a bowl of soup

It has a really long throw and jumps out of reverse, theres no real feel to the gears any ideas please

Apologies for not getting your post live sooner.
The thing is a new members very first post must be validated by a Moderator to avoid thousands of Spam entries but you're active now after three hours.

I joined the Golf Mk6 club last week and they only validated me yesterday 6 days later!  

Good luck with your problem, I think it's a simple one but I'll let the experts tell you.

Your Moderator Team.

I guess it may be the linkage and bushes are worn.
A guide here to replacing the whole lot, I've only every changed the bushes in the engine bay but mine has never had a problem with jumping out of reverse.
You may also find the rubber part of a ball lever has fell off and that is why it's a long throw between gears.

Have a look at the guide then you can compare what you need.

Gear Change Linkage - The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

complete kit.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GEAR-SHIFT-REPAIR-KIT-5-SPEED-NEW-FOR-VW-GOLF-MK1-CADDY-SCIROCCO-GSRK-G1-5S-/351698047320?fits=Model%3AGolf&hash=item51e2d65158:g:1B0AAOxyPc5R~lg2

Or just the bushes.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SCIROCCO-GOLF-MK1-GTI-GEAR-LINKAGE-BUSH-KIT-C163-/200267258146?fits=Model%3AGolf&hash=item2ea0dbd922:m:mkKGQI2tTDvISm0Y7UToHNg

Missing ball from lever like this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK1-CABRIOLET-GEAR-RELAY-SHAFT-LEVER-C149-/220766005481?hash=item3366ade8e9:m:mqf6qllf9uVZJyNs8UmqCfQ

mark1gls said

I guess it may be the linkage and bushes are worn.
A guide here to replacing the whole lot, I've only every changed the bushes in the engine bay but mine has never had a problem with jumping out of reverse.
You may also find the rubber part of a ball lever has fell off and that is why it's a long throw between gears.

X4 Be sure you get the correct kit as there are 2 separate one one for a 4spd and one for a 5spd.

Popping out of reverse can be the shifter link, or the adjustment….
http://www.cabby-info.com/Files/AdjustingShiftLinkages.pdf

The Guru of the Tranny
www.brokevw.com

To shorten the throw, you need a short shifter kit.
Mizzinglinkz sells one that is really cost effective and You can make a weighted billet for the shifter rod to increase
the feel of the throw.





Missinglinkz short throw.


Web site:
http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/ForSale/ShiftLinkage.shtml

How it all fits together.


How I made a weighted shift rod billet.
http://volkswagenownersclub.com/vw/showthread.php/32201-Cheap-Weighted-Shifter-Rod