Difficult First Gear

[STOIE]

Hey all,

In Nicks Mk2 there has been the issue of first being difficult to use ever since we picked the car up. Usually you can slip it into 2nd then into first and get it 90 percent of the time.

However, since the engine mounts were changed, it seems to be very stiff at going into first (from a stop btw). Alot of the time you have to roll 2nd a bit then select 1st on a few occasions 1st is not available and 2nd must be used to takeoff...

To me this sounds like it just needs a bush kit, like seen here:
NEW COMPREHENSIVE GEAR SHIFT REPAIR KIT 5 speed GOLF MK2 JETTA [191798000 191798211S 191711173B] - £18.27 : veedubmachine, Volkswagen Audi Seat Skoda Porsche spares and accessories

Would this be correct, hoping it's not a syncro issue, but it doesn't grind at all, just doesn't like being selected, only gear that it happens to.

Info would be very appreciated.

Cheers,
Aaron.

[Golf Loon]

More useful to buy the tool to setup the shift properly, but you willl need to do that too if you put the bush kit in.

I bet you have a world of room in 5th between the stick and the stop on the side of the gate nearest the driver.

To fix it, put the car in 5th. Then in the engine bay behind the gearbo / engine there is a 13mm nut and bolt attached to the gear linkage bar. Loosten this whilst car is in 5th.

Get an assistant to gently slide the stick over to the perfect position for 5th. AND HOLD IT THERE!
Then do up the 13mm nut and bolt tight.

This should move all the gears over to the right more and make 1st a breeze.

It wont be fully successful if the bushes are also worn and might take a couple of goes the first time.
I have the factory setup tool now, but have used this method for many years.

If after the adjustment, you cant get 5th, put the car in 1st and adjust it a bit the other way.

Have Fun.

[STOIE]

Okay, that sounds like a very logical explanation.

I did notice the tool, was going to buy one of the bay if I get the bush kit, might just buy one anyway now as it sounds like a handy piece of gear.

So even though 1st is too far out of leverage lets say (ie. stick needs to go toward 5th) this doesn't effect reverse or is the reverse slot just very large...?

I will have a go though and let you know the results.

Cheers,

[Golf Loon]

You have 4 gears in the forward position, (R,1,3,5) so it is tight, but you can get it.
If you keep adjusting it in 5th and 1st and you have to loose one or the other it means there is a knackered bush somewhere.
Usually it can be adjusted out.
The factory tool makes it too easy and the shift beautiful.

[STOIE]

Thanks for the advice loon, that did the trick!

5th is a little difficult now, basically just have to push it hard to the right in neutral and it goes in...
But 1st is like butter now and for right this moment 1st is the important one.

Will buy an alignment tool, does anyone have a link to where to buy one...?

Thanks,
Aaron.

[Golf Loon]

Try pushing it down like you do when you put it into reverse to get 5th and you should be fine

[STOIE]

Yeah that pretty much is the case, but I am a killer for detail and can't have that

[Spyda]

I did what loon said ages ago but my bushers where worn and it didnt work to great. Alot of the time i couldnt get it in to 5th or 1st was in reverse.

New bushers and the alignment tool will do the trick for sure, just make sure the alignment tool is the right way around.

I think i got mine from GAP.

[Jmac]

Get the tool and do it right, thats why they are special tools,the right tool for any job will make the job easy, and less hit or miss and the tool in question here is very cheap.and you will be hard pushed to put the alignment tool in the wrong way, if you do please post some pictures here , that would be worth a look. Not downing anyone here but why bother messing around with hit or miss. Use the tool fix the gears. Each to their own

Jmac

[STOIE]

Thats what I want to do Jmac, but I don't know where to buy one...?

Linky linky please...

Get the tool and do it right, thats why they are special tools,the right tool for any job will make the job easy, and less hit or miss and the tool in question here is very cheap.and you will be hard pushed to put the alignment tool in the wrong way, if you do please post some pictures here , that would be worth a look. Not downing anyone here but why bother messing around with hit or miss. Use the tool fix the gears. Each to their own

Jmac