This is one part that could cause gear issues but looking at it, it's the most obvious wear item. You can see it clearly from under the bonnet just beside the downpipe. Get you hand in there and feel if there is much movement before the ball contacts the paddles that operate your gears. Easy to do. Only other bits are the plastic cups on the end of the rods. Easy jobs that make a whole load of difference. If your gears are still hard to find you haven't set it up right or need a new gearbox.
