MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: maxamplitude10 on August 15, 2025, 10:06:51 pm

Title: Gear selector tight (side to side)
Post by: maxamplitude10 on August 15, 2025, 10:06:51 pm

Hi I'm after some advice, my gear selector has become very stiff side to side and doesn't spring back to centre neutral. Also 3rd has become a pain to select.
I'm leaning towards selector pin on top of gearbox being siezed, but any knowledge info would be highly appreciated.
Cheers
Maxamp
 :driver:

Title: Re: Gear selector tight (side to side)
Post by: GVK on August 16, 2025, 12:55:53 pm

I bet the pin in the top of the gear selector in the box has seized  :happy2: Unbolt the selector and inspect.

Title: Re: Gear selector tight (side to side)
Post by: maxamplitude10 on August 16, 2025, 07:03:01 pm

I attempted to remove the gear selector pin L bracket today, I couldn't completely remove it as the gearbox mount is in the way, I managed to remove it 3/4 of the way and added some grease. It wasn't completely siezed but quite tight, there seems to be a plastic sleeve in the bore where the pin slides in. The problem is better but not 100% resolved, I think I need to remove completely and inspect the bore.
Is there anything below the gearstick in the the bushings etc that could cause a simular isdue/ tightness?
Thanks Fir Reply GVK

Title: Re: Gear selector tight (side to side)
Post by: maxamplitude10 on August 16, 2025, 07:08:23 pm

Quote from: GVK on August 16, 2025, 12:55:53 pm

I bet the pin in the top of the gear selector in the box has seized  :happy2: Unbolt the selector and inspect.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Gh79BcyK/20250816-082434.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ppjP4Mk5)

Title: Re: Gear selector tight (side to side)
Post by: maxamplitude10 on August 16, 2025, 07:10:38 pm

Is this the pin in question?
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gh79BcyK/20250816-082434.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ppjP4Mk5)

Title: Re: Gear selector tight (side to side)
Post by: GVK on August 16, 2025, 08:37:37 pm

That's one of them, if you take the 13mm nut off the centre of that linkage where it goes into the gearbox (cables removed too) you'll be able to strip it off the car.

I wonder if it is the actual gear selector that goes into the gearbox where the (rusty in your case) 13mm nut goes onto the top (if you take the 13mm nut off be careful when re-tightening it's easy to snap the shaft!)

While the linkage is removed you can check the side-side cable is not tight too.

Been along time since I messed with those linkages I'm not sure which cable does the side to side and which is the fore-aft!

Title: Re: Gear selector tight (side to side)
Post by: maxamplitude10 on August 17, 2025, 04:07:37 pm

Thanks GVK I'll take another look tomorrow, thanks for your advice :happy2: