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Thread: Hard gearing - lubrication didn't help

  1. #1
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    Hard gearing - lubrication didn't help

    The last month, but quite noticeable so the last week, shifting has become hard. There is about a 1/3 chance of getting directly into third gear on the first try. When it works, it works smoothly, but it otherwise feels like its just about to find its way, before it gets blocked. Fifth and reverse are even worse, with both of them being hard to get out of as well. First gear works maybe in 70% of tries, while fourth and second are almost normal. There is no problem so long as the car stays in gear or in neutral.

    I reached down the bulkhead and sprayed the levers down there, where the plasting rod from the base of the shifter comes out, with a good amount of bike-chain-oil. I opened up the box beneath the shifter and doused it liberall as well, but this had no effect.

    Any ideas?

  2. #2
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    You probably need to reset the linkages completely. There's bound to be a guide on youtube somewhere.

  3. #3
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    Yea. That looks like a job too. Have to get to from beneath.

  4. #4
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    If it is something other than a VR6 that had a cable change O2A gearbox the it will likely be an 020 gearbox which has linkages with plastic bushes and a plastic 'golf ball' as part of the linkages. These deteriorate and fall apart making the changes hard because you are not getting the full 'throw' of the gear stick movement. If you change in a relatively fast and smooth fashion it will probably go in as it should. If not it can baulk. I suggest looking for a gear linkage refresh kit.
    Last edited by Bora Sport; 01-02-2017 at 09:41 PM.
    2001 Bora 4 Motion Sport now used by number two son
    2011 Skoda Octavia Scout now with Underground Performance tune
    2010 Jetta 125 tdi dsg for the misses - Impressed
    2006 Polo GTI - Enhanced by some of Gav's magic - Absolutely loving it

  5. #5
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    Yes, Bora, that worked a treat. All gears, except for fifth, are decently smooth with this method, except for fifth, which I still may get the hang of with some more practice. That gives me time to wait for warmer weather. I'll have to do the job outside.

  6. #6
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    So, I figured it matters if the play in the stick is side-to-side or front-to-back. Front-to-back is about 3,4 cm, and side-to-side one third of that. Does that point to a specific bushing having been worn the most?

  7. #7
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    Its been a while since I had a Mark 3 but I'm pretty sure you can find refresh kits on EBay that will include all the little nylon bushes plus the golf ball bush that is down under the gear stick as I recall. Should be pretty cheap. Something like this?

    VW GOLF MK3 GTI 1.8 1.9D GEAR SHIFT LINKAGE REPAIR KIT C290 | eBay
    2001 Bora 4 Motion Sport now used by number two son
    2011 Skoda Octavia Scout now with Underground Performance tune
    2010 Jetta 125 tdi dsg for the misses - Impressed
    2006 Polo GTI - Enhanced by some of Gav's magic - Absolutely loving it

  8. #8
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    I took some video of the under-the-hood-part of the shifter-linkage:

    http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=1320603

    http://www.yourfilelink.com/get.php?fid=1320604

  9. #9
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    Edit: Sorry, double-post.
    Last edited by $hitblast; 24-02-2017 at 04:01 AM.

  10. #10
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    So there seems to be considerable play around the "ball" in the front linkage. It sort of looks like there is supposed to be a little play there. There is a couple millimeters of playat both ends of the weighted bar too.
    Last edited by $hitblast; 24-02-2017 at 12:57 AM.

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