Hi all,

I lost 5th gear and reverse so took it to a garage and they said they'd fixed it, I had a look under the car last week when 5th disappeared again & one of the gear cables had been cable tied on to it's mounting bracket. The bracket was broken right through so not much point cable tieing anything to it!!!

The plastic connectors on each gear cable are broken so when moving the gear stick the cables just pull apart without moving the linkage properly.

I've started loosening the gearstick surround/heatshield/gearbox mount and bracket while I wait for the cables to arrive but I'm not sure how to get to the gearstick end of the cables, should they be disconnected from underneath the car or inside? It looks like a right bitch of a job!

Does anyone know of a guide to setting up the gear linkage? I've found a few threads for a Mk3 but it doesn't look like mine and the Haynes manual just says it has to be done at VW.

Has anyone done this before? ANY advice would be really appreciated! I don't want to go from 3 and a half gears to none!

I know this is a while back but did you get anywhere with this. and was the problem the result of the engine bottom mount going and the engine swinging on the top mounting brackets that did the damage?

My question is how much were the parts and did you buy complete rods and plastic clips? (parts 35,36and 37 above)

I know this is a while back but did you get anywhere with this. and was the problem the result of the engine bottom mount going and the engine swinging on the top mounting brackets that did the damage?

My question is how much were the parts and did you buy complete rods and plastic clips? (parts 35,36and 37 above)

Hi there,

As I recall this happened because a gearbox mount bolt had come loose; the whole thing had shaken about and damaged the cables/clips in the process. I'm at work at the mo but can have a quick look underneath when I finish to remind myself and let you know. I think I took some pics at the time in case anyone replied but no-one did so I didn't post them; I can see if I've still got them. It was a pig of a job without a ramp and I think even with a ramp it won't be easy but it is possible... I got lucky and got both cables for 1pound on German eBay, just had to pay another 20quid postage on top! Try doing a search for the VW part numbers.

I'm sure I took a panel off the bottom of the car only to find out that it didn't give me any better access! I think you have to go through the gearstick access (pull the leather boot up to have a look).

I don't know if anyone can help on a related topic. I've just replaced the gearbox on my son's 6n box (same linkage as shown). But there seems to be excessive play in the linkage (pretty sure it is not the box).

Referring to the above diagram should blot/washer/nut 50, 51 and 52 clamp onto the slot inarm 53 or should it be free to slide up and down in the slot (which mine does at the moment and seems to give too much play)?

I don't know if anyone can help on a related topic. I've just replaced the gearbox on my son's 6n box (same linkage as shown). But there seems to be excessive play in the linkage (pretty sure it is not the box).

Referring to the above diagram should blot/washer/nut 50, 51 and 52 clamp onto the slot inarm 53 or should it be free to slide up and down in the slot (which mine does at the moment and seems to give too much play)?

hi just wondering the same thing,replaced gearbox on my 6n and gears very sloppy same situation parts 50, 51 and 52 are free to slide up and down giving too much free play on the gear stick and finding it hard to select first.just wondering if this needs to be tightened as there doesnt seem to be a way of tightening it, it just slides regardless of how much its tightened.

Yes, they need to be tightened. This is an adjustment, I start in the middle then give it a try then adjust accordingly.