MK 3 Shifter problem

[Jinxd]

Hey guys just purchased a MK3 for a really good price, it has two problems that i was hoping to get some advice on.
1, worn out clutch
2, the shifter is all sloppy and wont go into reverse.

The clutch is a no brainer, although i am interested as to what brands people recommend.
Secondly, im fairly new to Golf's i was wondering are there any "rebuild" kits available for the shifter and or linkages?
Is this a common problem?
Thanks in advance for your help guys
Regards, Ash

[Mrk_Mickey]

What mk3 is it exactly? CL, GL, VR6?

I know that the shifting on the VR6s are almost always sloppy due to their age now, but it could be a loose nut on the adjuster on top of the gearbox. I don't know about GL's or CL's though.

[Ben J]

You know you have to push it down to move into reverse right? haha

[Water Boy]

When I first got mine finding any gear was a mission.

Have a read of a Mk3 manual and it gives you the low down the gear selector. Give every thing a good lube with some teflon grease and allignment.

[rayray086]

I had a Luk clutch kit when I bought my car. Clutch feel wasn't very smooth, though it was getting old. Had a Sachs one fitted in afterwards and it's been great, 10k km onwards.

There are indeed rebuild kits available for our cars. The sloppiness is a common problem and one that exists in possibly all GL/CL Mk3s unless it's been treated to a rebuild kit. Some of the linkages are plastic and the bushings are soft rubber so obviously they're quite prone to wearing out quickly. GAP sells an OEM set and an uprated set too (made by USRT). I bought an OEM set and have since fitted it with a short shifter linkage and now it feels very direct. I can easily get into all gears (I used to have trouble with 1st). I've got no side-to-side play at all, but still a little wobbly when tapping the shifter up and down.

As for not being able to get into reverse, hopefully someone else can chime in!

[Jinxd]

Thanks for the quick response guys, id say its a GL its not a V6 or a diesel if that helps at all.
the previous owner said that whilst trying to put it in reverse it made an odd sound like a spring letting go and she could no longer put it into reverse.
Ive tried pushing down on the shifter and it only goes into first.

[Golf Loon]

Its usually the shifter ball and relay shaft. About $150 form VW. I have some kits with the shaft and ball, all the relay rods and bushes for $110 delivered if you feel the need.

I also have a few of the special tools to set the shuft linkage for $30 if you want to set it up yourself.