Problems finding 1st

[BJ maximum]

Hi all,

Have a bit of a gremlin with my '96 GL that I wanted to share and get some ideas on:

I'm having problems shifting to 1st from neutral, especially when parked. I'll try my usual shift style (pushing left then forward) and it feels like the stick's hitting an invisible wall. After lots of wiggling around or a slight modification to my shift (e.g pushing diagonally left and forward at the same time) I'll eventually wrestle it into first.

What's weird though is that I don't normally have to mess around like this when I'm driving. It seems to give me less resistance if I'm changing to first after stopping at an intersection for example.

I've heard that the linkages can go, or that there may be some kind of adjustment that can be done. Any tips on how I can check this? Just want to make sure I know a bit about the possible issues before I head off to a mechanic (and get told that I need a gearbox rebuild or something horrid like that).

[AP]

Just go straight to second! Haha

Just kidding! Sounds like worn synchro's!

[peedman]

Hi all,

Have a bit of a gremlin with my '96 GL that I wanted to share and get some ideas on:

I'm having problems shifting to 1st from neutral, especially when parked. I'll try my usual shift style (pushing left then forward) and it feels like the stick's hitting an invisible wall. After lots of wiggling around or a slight modification to my shift (e.g pushing diagonally left and forward at the same time) I'll eventually wrestle it into first.

What's weird though is that I don't normally have to mess around like this when I'm driving. It seems to give me less resistance if I'm changing to first after stopping at an intersection for example.

I've heard that the linkages can go, or that there may be some kind of adjustment that can be done. Any tips on how I can check this? Just want to make sure I know a bit about the possible issues before I head off to a mechanic (and get told that I need a gearbox rebuild or something horrid like that).

Its just the linkages that need to be renewed. Pretty easy job heres a good diy: 2.0 Shifter Rebuild

Sometimes if you find you are stuck at the lights shift into second then into first and it usually goes in.

[BJ maximum]

Worn linkages sounds about right - I shouldn't have assumed an issue with the running gearbox (such as syncros) because then I'd be getting issues whilst the car's in motion - whereas the main issues are occurring when stationary...

Looks like I should order this kit: Bushing/ Ball only kit - Mk2/3 [SHIFTB2] - $35.00 : USRT, Usually Sideways Rally Team

[peedman]

Yeah anyone of those kits are good and should improve shifting alot. Just letting you know that in some kits they give you an orange thing which most ppl dont replace (you can see the piece in the diy but he doesnt actually change it). Thats because if you undo the bracket to get it off you need to realign your shifter with the proper tool (its easier than it sounds). So i would ignore it unless it is broken. You can see the orange piece in the top left



Good luck with it!

[BJ maximum]

Yeah, that grimy brown thing that used to be orange

I'm all for taking the easy route anyway, will just do the bushings and ball unless the orange thing's shot as well. Might even just palm it off to a mechanic when I get the parts..will let you all know how it goes

[wai]

When stationary, you will not always be able to select any gear. This is because the baulk rings may not align perfectly with the splines. Sometimes it can help to first select another gear and then come back to selecting 1st. It's like selecting reverse. It sometimes helps to first select another gear and then try and select reverse.

[Glynn.]

exact same things happen to me mate, replace all the bushings linkage at the back of the engine bay, its pretty straight forward hardest part is removing the circlip from under the shifter ball mechanism.
next youl need to replace the ball and socket joint under the shift and also the bushing that goes through the firewall, will need to have ramps and enough space to drop the exhaust/heatshield, am going to attempt this on the weekend hopefully

[BJ maximum]

exact same things happen to me mate, replace all the bushings linkage at the back of the engine bay, its pretty straight forward hardest part is removing the circlip from under the shifter ball mechanism.
next youl need to replace the ball and socket joint under the shift and also the bushing that goes through the firewall, will need to have ramps and enough space to drop the exhaust/heatshield, am going to attempt this on the weekend hopefully

Hey Glynn, definitely let us know how it goes after you've done it. I'm still in the process of organising the parts. I'm also not entirely confident about attempting the job at home because I don't have a decent workshop e.g. I don't even have basic stands, let alone ramps (long story short, I was into motorbikes for the past few years and sold all my car stuff). Am planning on getting a good collection of equipment together over the next few months for some more serious DIY, but until then I'm gonna have to tough it out with retail mechnics

On a side note, I've noticed that it's harder to shift into first when I'm parked on the side of a cambered road, but much easier when the car's on flat surface. I'm guessing the weight attached to the linkages is pulling off to the side, making it harder to line up the gear?

[Glynn.]

currently looking for the tool to align the shifter before i attempt to get the ball joint out, you dont really need anything other then basic tools to do the linkages in the engine baytho

[Ironman]

currently looking for the tool to align the shifter before i attempt to get the ball joint out, you dont really need anything other then basic tools to do the linkages in the engine baytho

Find out how much the tool is Glynn and I'll go ya halvies lol... Do my kit when we do yours...... Might as well make a day of it with Andrew if he is keen for it... I finally got stuck in and finished off my regulator today.. only took like 4 days lol.

[BJ maximum]

Long story short have been having trouble getting hold of the complete kit (including "ball") from O/S.

Found a cheaper kit on ebay which seems to contain everything else:
New VW Shifter Bushing Kit Cabrio Golf Jetta 85-02 | eBay

Have ordered it today and intend to get a local mechanic to fit it up as soon as it all arrives. I also have some minor clutch slippage so I'll get him to take a look at the adjustment, bleed the clutch etc.

Will report back on how it all goes but something tells me that as one issue resolves, I'm gonna have to start investigating another (hopefully won't be up for a new clutch soon)

[rayray086]

Like peedman said, there's no need for the tool, it can be easily done with a mate. With the gearbox in neutral, he/she just has to hold the gear stick where neutral should be while you tighten the nut that grabs onto the rod that pokes through the orange bushing. If you don't get it right the first time, try again. I aligned it myself before and while it was annoying going back and forth, I eventually got it and the position felt good for me and it shifted perfectly after. If you don't like the throw, I'd suggest getting a short shifter too - it made shifting much notchier and made it a blast to drive too.

Changing the gear linkages and bushings were one of the best replacements I did with the Mk3. Definitely worthwhile. Make sure you keep the old plastic cupped linkages as spares though, especially the shorter white one - my new one broke on me once and I was stuck with using 3rd and 4th only until I got home lol. My clutch didn't like it at all!

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[Golf Loon]

Lots of things can break on these linkage setups. The easiest and most common bit to break is the moulded ball on the shaft. This results in mad forward and back play in the linkage. This relay shaft with moulded bar are the most expensive bit of the kit to buy $80 or so on their own.

The rest of the kit is cheap for the front of the car.

The ball socket and shifter box under the car should only be attempted at home by experienced or determined home mechanics. Exhaust will need to come off and go back on, plus more fun.

We supply all the parts for this job and do next day Australi wide delivery.

I have setup hundreads of these cars without the tool and would set em up in 1st and then fifth whilst stationary. 2 blokes who know how to do it, can do it in 1 minute. The uninitiated, or myself with the wife to help whould take hours and end with swearing and a non useable shifter

We sell the shift alignment tool for $20. Several in stock.
When using the tool you set it up in neutural and it is easy.

Good Luck fixing the shifter.

If you take pics of the linkages behind the engine on your cars, I can tell you straight away what is broken on your setup.
Send me your readers shots