Stiff gear selection

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Kal_El
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Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2021 2:25 am
Drives: Match 1.4 2001
Location: Derby

Stiff gear selection

Post by Kal_El »

Hello all

This is my first post. I need some help diagnosing the part and repair needed for my Polo. The gears are very stiff in general but mainly first and reverse gears. I gather that this is a common problem. I suspect it may require the plastic gear lever selection rod but not entirely certain. Any help would be much appreciated. I have included a picture to see if anyone can spot anything that my untrained eyes can’t. Thanks in advance.
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JUUL
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Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2021 8:55 am
Drives: 6N 1995
Location: Netherlands

Re: Stiff gear selection

Post by JUUL »

Has this been like this for a while or just recently? It might be the gear selector which is giving you a headache, to be honest I don't see anything which might me causing the problem. The bushings look fine to me. But then again....I'm not an expert either.

I do know that the gear selection can be adjusted on the gearbox as well. The gearbox is operated with levers and cables, I suppose if one of this is out of alignment the gears won't change smoothly. See picture below of the gear mechanism which is located under the car between the firewall and gearbox. The 13mm bolt on the right adjusts the lateral travel of the stick. If you have someone to help you you can try adjusting it until 1st and reverse change smoother.

Image
Kal_El
New
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2021 2:25 am
Drives: Match 1.4 2001
Location: Derby

Re: Stiff gear selection

Post by Kal_El »

Thanks for the detailed explanation and image. Just what I needed :D Much appreciated.

It’s been stood a little while but no problems prior. I’m taking it to my mechanic mate tomorrow & I’ll show this to him. I reckon it just needs an adjustment.
soother
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Posts: 23
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:45 am
Drives: 6N2
Location: Somerset

Re: Stiff gear selection

Post by soother »

Changing gear was stiff on my 6N2 when I first bought it, with 1st gear particularly hard to select. The linkage all looked dry, so I blasted every joint from the stick to the gearbox with aerosol synthetic grease. That sorted it out, and gear change is still fine 7 years later. Worth a try before you get involved in changing parts.
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