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Gearbox Issue

VAG_OKN

New member
Location
England
Hi,

New to the forum and I'm hoping someone can help me out. I've got a 6 speed manual. There's a lot of play within the gear leaver. I do find selecting first and second gear the hardest. I have on some occasion been completely blocked out of 1st gear so was having to set off in second, that was a bit of a nightmare from traffic lights. Anyone know what the problem could be.

I've attached some videos showing the issues at hand.





Thanks.
 

Carlosfandang0

Autocross Newbie
Location
UK
Car(s)
2016 3Dr GTi DSG CSG
Movement looks normal to me, probably the clutch that’s the issue, have you got floor mats? Is the mat stopping the clutch pedal from fully depressing? Is your seat too far back?
It shouldn’t really effect the responses you get but just so you know, you've posted this in the Mk7 forum!
 
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VAG_OKN

New member
Location
England
Oops I didn't realise. The issue is there with the car turned off also. I don't have a floor mat on the drivers side as they do tend to get in the way. I've had a go on 2 other car with the same gearbox and the movement on theirs is considerably less, and feels much nicer slotting into gears.

Is it worth buying a new gear linkage ? Does anyone know a ballpark figure on how much they cost. I'm just hoping it's not the gearbox itself.
 

Carlosfandang0

Autocross Newbie
Location
UK
Car(s)
2016 3Dr GTi DSG CSG
Engine On or off wouldn't likely change how it moves, from your video it doesn’t look particularly unusual.
 

VAG_OKN

New member
Location
England
Thanks for the reply. The car's booked in with a gearbox specialist sometime next week. He did have a brief look but said he's going to remove the airbox for a better look inside the engine bay. 1st gear was completely blocked I couldn't get it in with the car turned on or off.

I do find that if I shift into 3rd then quickly into 1st, the gear goes in with more ease.
 

Carlosfandang0

Autocross Newbie
Location
UK
Car(s)
2016 3Dr GTi DSG CSG
Yeah, maybe the cable or linkage is sticking or has an issue but the gearstick movement does look pretty normal, if you’ve got a few common tools the air box comes out real easy, worth a look yourself as it’s possible the linkage is a little loose or such like and you could save yourself some money if it’s something simple!
 

MeltedSolid

Autocross Newbie
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
Car(s)
'15 Golf, e36 328i

VAG_OKN

New member
Location
England
I sent a quick email over to Jim at DieselGeek. He's got loads of vidoes on YouTube relating to my problem. He's adviced from the little information he had that the front/end back cable end bushing has failed in the gear lever housing.
 

VAG_OKN

New member
Location
England
Does anyone know how to access the bushings in the gear lever side? Is it from inside the cabin or externally from the bottom of the car ? I would like to at least attempt to have a look at the bushings myself.
 

Carlosfandang0

Autocross Newbie
Location
UK
Car(s)
2016 3Dr GTi DSG CSG
I don't think that looks normal, but it's likely not too difficult of a fix. It seems to me that your shifter bushings are shot.

I recommend this guide: https://www.golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/how-to-make-a-mk7-6mt-suck-less.349809/ I have done 8 of the 10 things listed, and my shifter is solid as a rock. I think I have the same mk6 6 speed as you (long story), so I know how it should feel.
It likely can be improved but I would think that in its current state it wouldn’t hinder gear selection, My old Mk6 GTi had movement of some degree as does my Skoda yeti, even the loaner polo I had from the dealership recently had simililar movement (to the point that I noticed it) and that only had 114 miles on it! Obviously it shouldn’t be super sloppy but there will be movement.
 

VAG_OKN

New member
Location
England
Yh I have noticed that nearly all have slight movement however mine does have just that bit compared to the other 2 Golfs I have compared with the same box also whilst in gear there's much more movement when comparing. Although, mines not as bad as some I've seen whilst browsing through YouTube.
 

MeltedSolid

Autocross Newbie
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
Car(s)
'15 Golf, e36 328i
Does anyone know how to access the bushings in the gear lever side? Is it from inside the cabin or externally from the bottom of the car ? I would like to at least attempt to have a look at the bushings myself.

On the EA888 mk7's it's right underneath the airbox, I'm not sure what it would be on your car, but I think it would be similar.
 

VAG_OKN

New member
Location
England
I've had a look in a Mk5 with nearly 200k on the clock. The difference is night and day. Mines just gone past 100k but feels so sloppy in comparison. Can't wait to get this sorted.

My family members must think I'm goin mad with me asking to test their gear lever then taking videos ??. #CarLife lool.

 
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