Speedo drive fallen into Gearbox question.

[Richie]

I read a topic a while ago about this, but cant find it again.
Can I leave the plastic drive in my gearbox or not?  how do you get it out ?
I'm having the problem that the gearlever is getting stuck in reverse and not returning to center. Can this be the cause?

[Martz]

Has happened to me twice in my 16v and had no problems so would not worry about it mate.

Martz

[Agreeable Slick]

Drain the gearbox of oil and all the bits should come out as a mashed up mess. Then you just need to replace it with some clean oil and be on your way. Remember there are different coloured ends to the speedo gear though. Red, White, and Green. 

[Richie]

What do the colours represent ?

I've put a read one in, as sold to me by my very unhelpful VAG (don't they mention the circlip or was he hoping for business?)   

[Martz]

not sure mate, but mine was red.

[rubjonny]

normally, if you have a 120 or 160 mph speedo it will be red, and if its a 140mph speedo it'll be white.  Check the 4 digit code on the face of the speedo, this will tell you what gear you need. I think mine is 1420(?) and I have a red gear.  The green gear is normally for diesel boxes I think.

[Mk1Mad J - 16v]

  I had to have my gearbox rebuilt after some monkey mechanic dropped the end into mine - it got stuck in reverse too as the bit was stuck in the mechanism, it never got a chance to get "mashed up" so there was no way of draining it out with the oil

can you move your gearstick at all? i snapped one of the linkages trying to move mine as it was stuck solid 

[systemseiko]

M8 done the same with mines,  drained the gear oil and replaced with a red gear,  still a bit sticky but F### it,  drive her till she stops,  good luck