My friend has a MK3 Polo that won't go in gear. The strangest problem is that when put in reverse it still drives forward. Is this a linkage issue, or is he looking at bigger problems?

Thanks!

Definitely the linkage.

My bet is that the little 10mm bolt holding the shifter ball to the selector rod at the back of the gearbox has either loosened or sheared, and is now loose enough to hinder side to side movement but not forward and backwards :biggrin:

Or possibly the pinch bolt which holds the selector ball 'cage' solid has loosened, so the side to side motion of the linkage is too loose to swing it over into reverse.

Have a look underneath at where the rod from the gearstick housing connects to the gearbox, and have someone waggle the gearstick while you look. You might be able to see whether the linkages have loads of play and which parts...

I'll check into it... does anyone know if they make a repair kit for the shifter? I can't get ETKA up... Oh, and if it makes a difference, it's a 1998.