From: "Miller, Scott H" I have a problem with the gear shift on my GTi. Sometimes it takes a determined shove to engage 1st and 2nd gears, although everything else is fine. There are no peculiar noises from the gearbox. This is spoiling an oherwise very enjoyable drive... I have been busy recently so I did not look too far into the problem and took it to a garage. They replaced the linkage bushes, but this has not cured the problem. I was not happy, at spending money to no avail and took it back. The mechanic muttered on about needing a new gearbox. Or at least a large washer, which would be uneconomic to fit - hence he reccomemded a re-con box. I left (with no refund). I plan to go to another garage for a second opinion. The outfit that I went to are not VW specialists, but they have looked after a Rover of mine OK in the past. Can you good people on this list give me any pointers. I am not a mechanic, but I can turn my hand to most practical things. Is there likely to be anything I can do here, or do I have to trust it to a VW garage? From: Max Karpiak "Miller, Scott H" wrote: > The mechanic muttered on about needing a new gearbox. Probably bull. Almost everyone with a GTi this age eventually runs into this problem. The linkage almost certainly is in need of adjustment by skilled hands. You can find instructions on the web (I don't have the link to Jan's VW pages here at work, can someone else provide it for this guy?), or you can ask your friends and find a good mechanic who knows VW's near you. The dealer may or may not be helpful. They might not have anyone who really knows A1's anymore. Of course, it is also possible that the shift forks inside the tranny are done, and they you'll have to get a rebuild, but it's more likely that it's just the linkage's adjustment. From: "Mairs,James (X)" Scott, Just a few things to look into before you buy a new gearbox! First Change the tranny fluid if you have not already... Sometimes those little overlooked things can cause the biggest improvement! (Smile) Second From your sig, I am assuming you are discussing an MK1 ( Rabbit GTi?), correct? If so I don't know how mechanical you are but the rebuild kit for the shift linkages runs roughly about $15-20 (Basically new push bushings and some foam grommets) and if you have a cassette tape case you can adjust it yourself! If you are wondering what the cassette case is, if you measure it, you will find that its VERY close to the spec that is listed in the Bentley From: VWMikeLVW@aol.com Sounds like you need to adjust the linkage. There is a bolt and clamp underneath and in front of the shifter. Loosen the bolt and then move the shifter over to the left a little, then tighten the bolt again....mike From: "Mairs,James (X)" Scott, Besides realignment of the linkages (via the cassette tape case) and fresh fluid the only other thing that you might want to consider is the engine/tranny mounts. If they are worn or 'bound' while running sometimes shifting can be slightly off... Good luck with getting them both on the road... Smile.