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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Brads MK2 GTI on 03 November 2008, 11:21

Title: Gear Linkages
Post by: Brads MK2 GTI on 03 November 2008, 11:21
Hi peeps,

Is it possible that if the gear linkage is mis-aligned you could select the same gear in two posistions on the gear stick? My 4th and 5th gear seem to have the same ratio, same RPM at all speeds!
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: nige_s on 03 November 2008, 11:26
Something isn't right there, 3rd and 5th is an easy one for a worn linkage to give, but 4th and 5th is an odd one.
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: Brads MK2 GTI on 03 November 2008, 11:29
Hmm that's not good then, was hoping it was likley to be that. :(
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: Mr Blue on 03 November 2008, 11:35
I had a similar problem on a 16v.

There was a securing nut that worked loose. Sounds like the rod alignment is out.

Doesnt hurt to change the bushes. cheaper than a box!
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: Brads MK2 GTI on 03 November 2008, 11:45
Well that's cool news then, I haven't looked into it yet, but everyone agrees that it is possible to select the same gear in two positions because of likage problems. I better get looking into it then!
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: Mew on 03 November 2008, 12:38
Has it just happened or have you just bought the car?
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: rubjonny on 03 November 2008, 12:38
linkage faq ;)
could be the relay shaft ball has come off, or you have a cracked plastic ball end :)
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: DarnPB on 03 November 2008, 12:57
linkage faq ;)
could be the relay shaft ball has come off, or you have a cracked plastic ball end :)


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What he said. Balls!
But also the linkeages, as has been already mentioned, could also be out of alignment. Even with the ball missing, you should still be able to select all gears, but the gearstick will feel like stirring a rice pudding.
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: Brads MK2 GTI on 03 November 2008, 12:59
Yeah no I've had the car for a few years now. Must have happened recently ish, couldn't give an exact date as I rarely use 4th, normally block shift from 3rd to 5th and cruise in that! Although I do need to do a bit of work down that area anyway, you wouldn't believe the amount of sideways and up & down travel on the stick!
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: rubjonny on 03 November 2008, 13:10
yeah a mixture of relay shaft and worn under car housing I think!
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: Benrevs on 03 November 2008, 13:21
Check that you actually still have the main bush/rubber ball thingy as the car I just bought had lost it entirely. 
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: Brads MK2 GTI on 03 November 2008, 13:33
Grr this sounds like it's going to turn into one of THOSE jobs! Better get all the repair kit ordered then and a new ball thingy too then get cracking. And I'll need an alignment tool from Ebay too then. Not sure if I'm looking forward to this, at least not the dropping the gear stick out of the car part, any tips?
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: DarnPB on 03 November 2008, 13:35
Grr this sounds like it's going to turn into one of THOSE jobs! Better get all the repair kit ordered then and a new ball thingy too then get cracking. And I'll need an alignment tool from Ebay too then. Not sure if I'm looking forward to this, at least not the dropping the gear stick out of the car part, any tips?

You don't need to drop out the gearstick. The linkeages are in front of the engine bulkhead, behind the engine. Access is not the easiest but perfectly do-able.
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: Brads MK2 GTI on 03 November 2008, 14:07
I was thinking about the ball thingy on the bottom end of the stick? That'll help to get rid of a lot of play by replacing it won't it?
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: sidecarphil on 03 November 2008, 14:45
i followed the gear shaft replacmant topic and changed all of the bushes and link rod's including the weighted link rod from a mk3 and all the gearstick balls and wow it made a huge differance , it is like driving a new car

they cost peanut's and are fairly easy to change , get it done first then worry if the fault is still there

Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: Mew on 03 November 2008, 14:54
I was thinking about the ball thingy on the bottom end of the stick? That'll help to get rid of a lot of play by replacing it won't it?

That'll sort out your up and down movement and stop you finding reverse rather than 1st!
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: rubjonny on 03 November 2008, 16:14
yeah its a pain to do the ball housing, messey and fiddly as hell to swap in and out from above, but it WILL go!  I did it on my GTI before I lowered it and didnt even have to jack the car up, 4x4 stance ftw  :grin:
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: sidecarphil on 03 November 2008, 17:29
yeah its a pain to do the ball housing, messey and fiddly as hell to swap in and out from above, but it WILL go!  I did it on my GTI before I lowered it and didnt even have to jack the car up, 4x4 stance ftw  :grin:


can you do it from the top ???
Title: Re: Gear Linkages
Post by: rubjonny on 04 November 2008, 11:54
the bolts holding the gearshift box to the car are underneath, you have to unbolt them because otherwise there isnt room to wiggle the plastic ball housing out.  The actual plastic housing comes out from above, have a read of my FAQ its all in there ;)