UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Is this fixable?

Yes. It's either a loose linkage or the shift cables bushes have split engine side. Easy enough to sort with a few cable ties

Had the same issue. Fixed after linkage replacement.

6N0711265B ? Rod or cable?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-POLO-6N2-9 ... SwCypWmg5S

Should be cable

What's the easiest way to check? Can you see the cables under the gaitor?

Yeah they clip onto the bottom of the gearstick

Or just stick your head under the front and you'll see them come through following the exhaust

Slightly unrelated,
1st & reverse are inconsistant when stationary, well, you think you're in & you're not.
Gears are fine when driving.
Could this be selector adjustment?

Sounds like the bushes are worn. have you checked them for splits?

Otherwise, linkage is out

Got under it tonight, all looked in reasonable nick for age,
Most wear appears to be on the L/R axis bell crank above the gearbox selector shaft, not sure how fixable that is?
For/aft stick position adjusted back to limit of adjustment.
I don't think any of this relates to 1st & reverse selection.
Gearbox getting noisy as well.

Pop up a pic

Oil change on the gearbox would be a good idea

Stealing someone elses photo:
http://s1109.photobucket.com/user/fridg ... D.jpg.html
B marks the adjuster for the L/R axis, above the adjuster you can see a 90Deg bracket that pivots, that pivot is sloppy.

I could change the trans oil, would mineral do?

Nooooo 75W90 fully synthetic. Use genuine VW gearbox oil if possible or Castro syntrans

That's what I thought you'd say.
Are those boxes prone to bearing failure?

Yep, very common. The 5 gear taper bearing breaks up and destroys the gearbox