Gear change into Fifth

[Len]

Recent driving it has become more difficult to engage 5th gear, quite often getting 3rd instead, so I really have to make sure I get 5th by pulling the lever over hard.

Can this be rectified by adjustment?

Will be taking engine out soon

[gazareth]

I would allways replace worn bushings etc before adjusting anything. if you have loads off free play at gearstick you should get that fixed first which will more than likely sort the whole lot out.

[Len]

By free play I assume you mean when it is in gear? Will have to check that.
But then there should be as car is 16 years old and done 149k miles.
Probably about time bushes should be replaced!

[thai-wronghorse]

There arent really many bushes to change on the 02A gearboxes although the shift tower components do wear out. Most of which are available on eBay and from VW as I changed mine as the shift on these is inheritantly long, sloppy and sh!te.

[RichardBaronGolf]

Is it a big job to replace shift tower components? Also by bushes do you mean the gear linkage bushes? Sorry to hi jack your thread len

[thai-wronghorse]

The rod change boxes have loads of bushes to change, the cable change boxes don't.

[Len]

Will have to look at the bushes then.

[Len]

When in gear there is play but only to the right, towards me. Its tight if you try and push the lever away from you.