58 How can I improve shift effort/meshing of my gears? First gear feels like there is something blocking it?
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This article is from the VW Technical FAQ, by with numerous contributions by Jan Vandenbrande others.
58 How can I improve shift effort/meshing of my gears? First gear feels like there is something blocking it?
A: First check out the linkage adjustments, regrease where needed, and older
cars, possibly replace the old linkages/bushings. A special spacer tool is
needed for one of the adjustments (A1 & A2) which happens to be exactly the
same size as the skinny side of an audio cassette. Other special tools may
be needed.
[From Jens]:
Old trick, used in (nearly) every (VW) service station because the
results are much better than using the official method with the special
tools. Disadvantage: you need a person who helps you.
Sit down on the driver seat, your friend has to go under the car.
Shift into
- 3rd gear for 4 gear cars,
- 5th gear for 5 gear cars,
have your friend loosen the linkage and adjust the gear stick. Push it
(smoothly!) to the right and have your friend link the two parts again.
Try to shift into every gear, have a special eye on the rear gear.
If you cannot succeed with this method, you can also try to adjust
the linkage in 1st gear (of course you have to push to the left side
then). Some people find this method easier and more effective than
the first one. If you are anxious not to succeed, mark the original
position of the linkage parts before losening them. You can then put the
linkage into the original position every time.
The end of the shift lever has a ball on it that fits into a cup.
The cup wears and allows the ball to ride lower and lower. Pretty soon,
the ball, with shifter attatched, is riding so low that you don't need
to push down to bypass the reverse lock out.
All you need to do is replace the ball and cup. While you're in there,
replace theshifter bushings for the feedthrough.
See the Bentley manual for an excellent description.
BTW, you'll most likely have to drop the exhaust to get at the parts.
I have done this operation several times on various models, and can
honestly say that it can be done in about 2 hours or less if you
have a torch to remove the old exhaust clamps.
Also check out whether the motor/transmission mounts are ok, misalignment
will cause shifting problems as will a dragging clutch.
If your shifting effort is hard/stiff on cold days & grinds in 1st & 2nd,
but easier once warmed up you may want to change to a synthetic
transmission fluid (see performance FAQ).
Also see the G60_Xmission_Mods, faq.vw.perf, Solid_Shifter for adding a
counter weight to the shift linkages for a more "solid" feel, and
Adjust_Linkages.
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