Internal gear linkage issue

[Joe87]

Hello

My gear change has been loose for a while now - very wobbly gear stick which only notches into gear right at the end of its travel, and it's gradually getting worse. It initially started just with 4th gear, but after crunching it a few times I realised my driving skills hadn't just gone to **** and there was actually a problem. It not affects all gears (and has done for a while) - it's still driveable, but only just.

It's not the external linkage, I replaced the bushes a year or two ago and have since been over the whole lot from the bottom of the gear stick right through to where it goes into the gearbox. The gearbox end is where the play is - the shaft that enters is very loose and can be rotated each way before any kind of resistance is felt (in and out is not so much of a problem), so I reckon it must be some kind of issue with the internal linkage.

The Haynes manual says there should be some kind of adjustment screw but, surprise surprise, there isn't on mine. This shows the bit I'm talking about (figure C).

No idea whether there's an easy way to sort this out? I'll try and get a photo for clarity tomorrow.Thanks!

[Joe87]

Aw shucks...no-one has any ideas?

[Blueshark]

The retainer screw you mean isn inside the gearbox.

Behind the lever which goes into the gearbox, we call it selctor arm over here.

Joost

[Joe87]

I see...that sounds like it could be rather painful to sort out? Do you think that's likely to be causing the problems I'm experiencing?

[Joe87]

Any further thoughts on this? Just been given a £450 mot bill and it would be good to know whether this issue is gonna require a lot more money being spent. Or if it's straightforward enough to fix myself. It may not be worth keeping the car if it's a serious problem.

Thanks.

[ianaudia4]

Any further thoughts on this? Just been given a £450 mot bill and it would be good to know whether this issue is gonna require a lot more money being spent. Or if it's straightforward enough to fix myself. It may not be worth keeping the car if it's a serious problem.

Thanks.

£450! Shite, what needed doing?

[Joe87]

My thoughts exactly :( That's including the MOT cost but it needs a new shock, ball joint, CV boot and wheel bearing. I'm assuming at the front. I could probably handle all of that myself but I don't have the space, tools or time realistically at the moment. He reckons 'twill need a new clutch within the next year as well.

[mark1gls]

Lets hope both shocks on each side of the car was changed (both front or back) as they are meant to be changed in pairs, check your recipt for 2 shocks.
If they only changed the one side I would not ever use that garage again as its cutting corners on your's and other people's saftey.

[ianaudia4]

£450 does sound extemely expensive for them few jobs. A pair of standard shocks should cost no more than £50, a ball joint about a tenner and a front bearing about the same, that adds up to £70, throw in a MOT £50 ish, a nice little profit!
I assume from your wording "it needs", that you haven't had the work done yet? If not I can recommend a VW specialist in Chelmsford, which isn't far from Cambridge (£12-15 in fuel), who would charge you a damn sight less!

[Joe87]

Thanks mate, probably worth getting a quote from them at least. Correct, it hasn't been done yet as the guy doesn't actually do the mot himself, he's just looked the car over. The parts cost is about what he quoted, but I've no idea how much the labour should cost as I've only ever done repairs myself in the past.

I suppose the only issue is convenience - by the time I've driven to Chelmsford, got the train home and back again and then driven back, plus the time I'd need to take off work to do that, I'm not really sure how economical that really is! This guy is literally two doors down from me and has been recommended ... And claims to be a vw specialist.

But I'll definitely ask about whether he's changing both shocks, thanks for the suggestion.

[mark1gls]

Sorry to adding more money to the cost of your repair but if you have all the suspention off its also worth fitting new top mounts, £25 for the pair.

Good site for bits

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/scirocco_suspension.php

A set of Febi mounts new on ebay at £10! (mk1 golf the same)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Golf-Gti-Mk1- ... 3f31a62c75

[ianaudia4]

Thanks mate, probably worth getting a quote from them at least. Correct, it hasn't been done yet as the guy doesn't actually do the mot himself, he's just looked the car over. The parts cost is about what he quoted, but I've no idea how much the labour should cost as I've only ever done repairs myself in the past.

I suppose the only issue is convenience - by the time I've driven to Chelmsford, got the train home and back again and then driven back, plus the time I'd need to take off work to do that, I'm not really sure how economical that really is! This guy is literally two doors down from me and has been recommended ... And claims to be a vw specialist.

But I'll definitely ask about whether he's changing both shocks, thanks for the suggestion.

Take a day's holiday and drive down and wait while the bloke does the work! This bloke is quick, changed my cambelt in 20 minutes, a damn sight quicker than it would take me!