Shifter mechanism @ tranny

[j_oly1999]

Ok, so, having a problem w shifting into first and/or reverse. I went under the hood to see if anything looked funny, and i think the previous owner had "rigged" the eye end of the cable that actuates those. There is a piece of all-thread rod looking stuff with about 5 nuts on it holding it to the tranny linkage and the cable. Does anyone have a picture or could someone post a picture of what that whole assembly SHOULD look like so i can compare?

[BUGSTUFF]

This?

http://www.vwcarpartsonline.com/stor.../69744_lrg.gif

[j_oly1999]

That would look to me like what it SHOULD look like, however, you see the longer, plastic looking piece at the end of the arm? Well, take a piece of 1/4-20 threaded rod about 8 inches long, screw about 5 nuts on in various places, and that's what i have! I guess the previous owner had to have broken that piece, and some "ingenuity" was used to rig up a new one vs. buying that part. i'll have to see how much one of those costs, because the rod thats there has alot of flex in on mine, and i have to keep adjusting it to get into 1st and second without sounding like a 15 yr old learning to drive a 70's pickup truck! LOL

[BUGSTUFF]

About $30 from the dealer (or aftermarket).

[bugasm99]

or spend a little extra and get a bulletproof item that gives you side to side reduction as well...

[j_oly1999]

Wouldn't i still need the stock linkage? The picture looks like it attatches to the stock bracket. I was wanting to get a short throw for it, and my next thread was going to be on which one? At the tranny, or under the center console?

[bugasm99]

at the tranny or under the console isn't going to be your choice. You have a '99 2.0 so your may be fortunate enough to have the new linkage which allows you to use the trans kit. Most likely you have the older VR linkage which means you would need to fork over the money for a full under console shifter that has been modified for a shorter throw. The image above would simply give you a shorter side to side throw, but not the forward/ back throw.

[j_oly1999]

Glad others out there know more than i do about this stuff. I don't know that i "Want" the short throw, but the shifter is pretty sloppy. I'd like to tighten it up, and thought that since i would need to replace some parts, might as well upgrade right?

[bugasm99]

if your trying to get the crisp feel back into the shifter, another area to look at is under the hood on top of the trans. The actual cable ends have little oval rubber pieces where it connects to the shift mechanism. These can wear out over time as well as the three rubber grommets on the mounting plate (triangular metal peice on top of the trans that both cable run through.)

You might be able to convince diesel geek to sell you the nylon inserts and I have a source for aluminum upgrades for the mounting bracket.

[j_oly1999]

That's exactly what im after. Man, it's like tossin a pickle down a hallway when your shifting! ( LOL, Hope that nobody remembers that joke reference