sloppy gearlever

[Giles 0]

Hi...

Just bought my first Golf VR after numerous Mk2's. I don't pikc it up till Tuesday evening though... but in the meantime... On test drive I thought the gear lever was a bit sloppy. Gears selected okay though...

Is there a mod to remedy this? Is it just the lever bearings do you think, or is it more major - gearbox related?

Sorry for the quick question right off the mark, but will introduce myself later when I've got more time!

Thanks in advance,

Giles.

[Roan 0]

Hi Giles welcome to the club. I posted pretty much the same thing when I got mine! You have to remember the VR6 gear selector is a cable rather than a rod, so it will naturally feel a bit looser. You can check the bushes beneath the gear knob itself and replace them if necessary, but in my experience, it's a lot of hassle for little reward. You get used to it...

[Giles 0]

Aaah, ok. I knew it was a cable change, but didn't think it would be so different from my rod change Mk2's...

Is there a short/quick shift kit you can get to help eliminate this at all? Is there one worth getting over the others that are available? Or am I wasting my time/money doing this?

[matth76 1]

Unfortunately the sloppy gear movement is a standard fault with the VR. It can be remedied with a short shift kit. I have one fitted however even if you fit a short shift kit the lever will still have a lot of slack movement (from left to right) - although it does now have a shorter throw. My gf's polo has a much tighter gearbox, absolutely no slack movement left to right and the throw/movement is nearly as short as mine with a short shift kit... and her's is a 1.1!. VW in the 90's really didn't put the effort in when they made the mk3 VR... bad gearbox and bad suspension (rant over!)

The Phirm do a good short shift kit which uses the standard original box but just shortens one of the components. All for around £80 or 90ish quid if I remember right. A lot less than than the B&M kits etc.