mk2 gear linkage repair...

[bretttuk]

Got one of these from GSF last week for £10 or so , just wondering what this job entails ... has anyone done this with said kit ? is this an under car job or is this done from in the cabin ... ? is this a gearbox out job ... etc.. etc..

thanks..

[rubjonny]

Can be done from above with the bonnet open, simple job of removing bits from the old linkage and replacing with bits from the kit.  The only tricky bit is the big orange bush, you're supposed to drill out 2 rivets and split the housing to replace it.  But I've heard you can rip it out with a pair of pliers and stuff the new one thru the hole though.

Problem with that is you have to set the linkage up again afterwards, which can be a bit of a faf without the linkage reset tool

[Judderi]

If you have the kit that includes the ball and cup then this is a bit more work. You have to get under the car and remove the exhaust heat sheild, maybe even disconect the exhaust for access. Its not a major job just faffy. Ive heard its good to have somebody there to help as one person needs to hold the gear stick steady while you push the new ball on and stuff like that.

[rubjonny]

Heres a writeup I put together for the gearlever housing repair kit:

1. Remove the gearstick gaitor & centre console to give you more room to work
2. Undo the 2 10mm nuts either side of the gearstick.

Now get under the car
3. Remove the exhaust centre heat shield by removing the 6 nuts/clips holding it on, then rotate it round the exhaust an off the car
4. Shove the housing up into the car, it is only held in by gravity & grease at this point
5. Remove 4 13mm nuts holding the plate
6. Now get back in the car, pull up on the stick and push down on the plate you have just undone
7. Next Jiggle the housing about untill you can get it out
8. If the ball looks like it is worn you can remove it, I didn't bother as it looked OK. Its tricky, you need to press the ball upwards while someone holds the gearlever down, then you need to remove the split pin.  Not an easy task!
9. Refitting is the reverse of removal

[Judderi]

Cheers for the advice. Will come in handy if i decide to do it next weekend. Ive been putting it off for months!

[rubjonny]

No problems, note that this was doable on my 1.6 Driver without dropping the exhaust, but on a GTI it might end up being a bit more of a GIT

[VWDino]

Yeah, I've done the gear lever on my Driver too. I followed a procedure pretty much as rubjonny says. Point 4 tho..... I needed a hammer and chisel to remove the housing! 2 person job defianately for the removal and fitting. I ended up removing the entire lever and dismateling it rather than doing it in situ. Might be easier in the long run.