Yet another thought has occured only when my mate pointed it out: the gear stick on my Polo is rather loose. I can select gears without any trouble, but the gear stick has about an inch left and an inch right of movement in gear. Is it supposed to be tighter, meaning I have something loose and needs tightening(I have no idea if I have rods or cables, a tip would be welcome), or is this just the way it is on Polos?

mines the same mate right sloppy i hate it!

Yeah mine is really sloppy too, I think they are all like it to a certain extent.

They get worse over time though, maybe your linkages need tightening?

Not all Polo's - pre '94 cars are not cable shift,and dont feel like stirring soup as a result.

nope, no movement that shouldnt be there.

edit: Just seen that yours is post 94 so i dont know if this is fitted on your car.

check the condition of the ball joint/linkage finger thing on the selector rod.

Selector Ball

item number:220504914318

Edited 10 January, 201016 yr by Cymro

defo the selctor ball you will be suprised with the difference it makes puttin a new one on

Realy sloppy glad its not just mine ... :)

Would the selector ball work for 1999 mk4s? or they just cable and nothing much i can do about it?

my 1996 6n's box still feels tight and smooth, and on the original box. maybe its because I actually check/change the box oil and can drive properly.

Edited 11 January, 201016 yr by jon H

Whether you change your gearbox oil or not, gear linkages still wear out over time.

Whether you change your gearbox oil or not, gear linkages still wear out over time.

well its 13 years old and still fine! and on the original clutch etc.. people seem to have a lot of problems with their 6n gearboxes is this just isolated to certain models/years? or is it just the owners rarther than the cars?

My gearbox feels fine, selects gears without a problem, and feels very positive. Same as any other car i've used.

No clue. I never noticed this, since it was like this since I bought it and never thought much about it. I mean I can select gears fine, no problems there, it's just sloppy when the gear is engaged.

On a side note, Haynes mentions there's a cable that takes up motion the gearbox/engine can make to prevent gearstick jerks, but I'm not so sure if this is working on mine, since the gearstick does jerk back and forth a bit if I put my foot on the pedal or off the pedal. Could the fault lay with this cable or could I have a worn gearbox mount?

Edited 10 January, 201016 yr by MehMan

No clue. I never noticed this, since it was like this since I bought it and never thought much about it.

On a side note, Haynes mentions there's a cable that takes up motion the gearbox/engine can make to prevent gearstick jerks, but I'm not so sure if this is working on mine, since the gearstick does jerk back and forth a bit if I put my foot on the pedal or off the pedal. Could the fault lay with this cable or could I have a worn gearbox mount?

i can relate to all, mine feels sloppy too lol, also it jerks on acceleration. so i would love to know how to fix this >.<

maybe its because I actually check/change the box oil and and can drive properly.

ahahaha

Yet another thought has occured only when my mate pointed it out: the gear stick on my Polo is rather loose. I can select gears without any trouble, but the gear stick has about an inch left and an inch right of movement in gear. Is it supposed to be tighter, meaning I have something loose and needs tightening(I have no idea if I have rods or cables, a tip would be welcome), or is this just the way it is on Polos?

should be quite firm . the gear selector is in a unit if you undo the the middle exhaust with the cat pull heat sheald down there is a box en bault and un bend some of the sides o the bottom and it will open you can then investigate it can be taken out easily depending on the cabels i took mine out mine is a twin cable i would get a replace ment from the scrappers .one other thing. back of engine where it connects 2 of the baults can come loose and cause sloppy ness again only acces is underneath try this second option first it works on a pivot . hope this helps. i changed my gear box in the end there is an adjuster on the cable. mine is 1.4 6n model i lost 3 4 gear in the end changed gear box cow of a job .

Yet another thought has occured only when my mate pointed it out: the gear stick on my Polo is rather loose. I can select gears without any trouble, but the gear stick has about an inch left and an inch right of movement in gear. Is it supposed to be tighter, meaning I have something loose and needs tightening(I have no idea if I have rods or cables, a tip would be welcome), or is this just the way it is on Polos?

hi my friend yeah there is an aduster on the end that joins the gearbox 1.4 it started to clunck inn reverse then i lost 3rd gear had to replace gear box hard job. had hainz manual by my side that does not tell you about this part . you can get to the box itself by takin mid exhaust apart just above the cat take shield back and open bottom bending the flaps back then take bottom off but make sure you take flap off before you un do the 4 nuts its easier then wole box comes away. have fun consentrate on the adjuster at gear box end first.

Edited 11 January, 201016 yr by morphious76