Shifter Alignment

[wewantutopia]

Hi Folks. I've been having problems shifting into 5th and now it is no longer accessible. I've read about the poor design of the trans with the oil issues etc.

I'm going to adjusting the shifter and replacing bushings before anything else. I took off the gearshift boot to examine the housing area (man is it dirty in there!) and noticed that the white plastic on the left side of the housing area that (I assume) the alignment gauge tool is supposed to fit around is broken into several pieces; several of which are missing! Has anyone heard of this, is this a common problem? Is this little piece replaceable? I'm going to buy a shifter kit that includes the alignment tool, will I still be able to align the shifter?

Also, these parts are all original. While I'm down there I was thinking about replacing the relay ball. It says it just "clicks on". Does the relay shaft have to be taken off to replace the ball? I'd really like to not have to remove the exhaust pipe.

I'm not looking forward to replacing all these selector parts. I'm not very tall and it is all at the bottom rear of the engine compartment... ugh.

Thanks for your help!

[Tac]

I did Mine it's realty not that bad compered to other stuff on our1991 Jetta. Can you see any indication where the alignment tool should line up? The linkage must be worn out enough to hit that piece of plastic. I did some of the replacement pieces from underneath, Jack the car up high and of course use jack stands.

Good Luck
Tom

[82vdub]

If you're redoing your linkage, you may want to get a missinglinkz shifter linkage. It eliminates the nylon bushings and tightens the shifter up a nice amount.

[wewantutopia]

Thanks for the replies!

Here's what the area around the shifter looks like and the, what I assume, is the broken plastic for the alignment tool. (excuse the decades of nasty!)





When you replaced so parts from underneath, wast the exhaust in the way?

I'll take a look into the missinglinkz, thanks for the info!

[TylerDurden]

There are some helpful pictorials/writeups on the vwvortex.

[Tac]

I don't remember if the exhaust was in the way. I didn't do the whole job from underneath. When you start the installation think about what angle would be the best to reach where you're working. What is called the dog bone (It's pretty evident which one it is by looks) is a popular piece that wears out, or brakes.

Tom

[82vdub]

I've got a Rabbit and I don't recollect if the exhaust was in the way or not. It was about 20 years ago when I did the boot under my shifter. I had to take off the selector rod, but don't remember much else. The missinglinkz setup is all done under the hood.

[Fatmobile]

Pretty sure the exhaust is in the way on the MK2.
I think I had that plastic piece break on my Golf too.

[Tac]

I don't know if this is what your looking for. But cut and paste this number in your web browser and take a look at it.

191711146C

Tom

[wewantutopia]

Thanks for the replies.
That is indeed the part that is broken. I had no idea that there is supposed to be a reverse lockout on this car and you're supposed to have to push the stick down to go into reverse. Hmmm. I'm pretty used to it, I'll just leave it as is I guess.

As for needing it for adjustment, I found this write through Vortex (thanks for the info) that uses a cassette tape as a spacer in lieu of needing the adjusting tool.

Has anyone used the cassette tape method??

[wewantutopia]

Hi everyone.

I got the missinglinkz shifter replacement kit, including a new relay shaft, and am almost finished.

My old relay shaft was a beast to remove. The spring clip thing at the bottom was fused to the shaft. Needless to say it was destroyed in the removal process.

Does anyone know what that part is actually called, or even better, where to get one or the VW part number?

Ah, I'm so close to finishing!

Thanks for all your help!

[TylerDurden]

Those are called "Hitler's Revenge"... or they oughta be.

They don't show properly in the parts diagrams, so I'd use a snap ring in the meantime.

Or there is often a similar clip on the accelerator cable at the IP; you could take that to the dealer and see if they have any.

Or show em a pic....

[Fatmobile]

True story:
I didn't have one of the black plastic balls/rollers in the picture above,.. and was also working on a MK2 alternator.
The bearing I replaced in the alternator fit perfectly on the shaft and in the cage.
So now I save sealed alternator bearings capable of 9000 RPM; to use for the MK2 shifter roller.
..... Happily ever after.

[wewantutopia]

Thanks for the replies! That's pretty awesome (and convenient) about the bearing instead of the ball!

I figured out what the part is. I basically had to find it for the parts guy at the VW dealer. Pulling up the relay linkage diagram for any MK2 showed the MK1 assembly which doesn't the the retaining clip on the relay shaft. Make him pull up the diagram a MK3 since they use the same shaft and bingo (I had to point it out to him).

VW calls it a "lock washer" and the part number is: N90315301 for anyone else who is looking and it cost a whopping $1.46 ($1.57 with tax).

Thanks for all your help!