Stiff Gears

[flashgordon]

Hi All,
I recently got a mk7 2.4 100ps rwd but the gears are stiff going up and down i.e. putting it into any gear from neutral or going from 1st to 2nd or 3rd to 4th or vice versa. Left to right is fine. I gather this is a common problem.
I did some searches and found that I needed to check the turret bearing on top of the box, but first I disconnected the gear cables and they are both fine. The gearlever end is silky smooth too. Strangely enough, the selector linkage arms feel quite free too with the cables disconnnected. I have tried to remove the linkage but can't get it off. I removed the propshaft, and removed the three bolts (two on driver's side and one on the passenger's side) that mount the linkage to the top of the box but it won't come off. Looking from the rear of the box there is a triangle shaped thing with a return spring around it which seems fixed, but I can't see anyway of removing it.
Any ideas anyone ?

TIA

[flashgordon]

Forgot to mention that it's a five speed.

[flashgordon]

I've removed the lower dash panel and removed the cables at the gearlever end. The lever is nice and loose but after making incremental adjustments with the yellow clip it is still stiff to move the gearlever up and down. The up /down cable is stiff when disconnected and pushed or pulled with the other cable in any postion.

Any ideas on how to remove the selector linkage so that I can check it out ? As I said I've tried to remove it without success.

[knobby1]

The linkage on the rear of the gearbox usually sticks, give it a good spritz with WD40 or similar.
The RWD doesn't have a "turret" bearing like the FWD.

Lord Knobrot

[flashgordon]

Thanks.

I've lathered it in WD40 but it hasn't made any difference. I thought if I took it off I could lubricate it fully.

So if it isn't a linkage issue, what else could cause the problem ?

TIA.

[flashgordon]

Any thoughts anyone ?

[richgold]

No fluid leaking from the gearbox is there?

[flashgordon]

No, there's no oil leaks.

I'm now thinking it could be an internal fault such as selectors etc making the gear change stiff.

Could this be the cause ? I've ruled out everything else !!

[knobby1]

Duff cables..??

Lord Knobrot

[flashgordon]

I disconnected the cables to check them and they're fine and so is the gear lever mechanism.

I think I need to remove the selector linkage but can't get it off. Any ideas or links ?

I've removed the three bolts which secure the bracket to the box but what else do I need to do ?

[Mad Husky]

Daft question stiff when engine running trying to select or stiff without engine running as i have had something similar recently that turned out to be slave cylinder.

[richgold]

I had the same too. the slave had gone and I had a new one fitted which it promptly destroyed.

It took a new everything before it was drivable again but still had stiff gears.

[flashgordon]

It is stiff whether engine running or not.

[Retired John]

We have similar problems although only 3rd 4th and 5th 1 and 2 seem fine . They are a bitch to change especially when cold as the transmission warms up the change is better also the more use the better it gets , I have tried all the stuff you did oil wd etc then on a recent trip it all seemed to get better after 100km or so and remained good . Pulled the olf girl out the shed to take her for a run yesterday and bingo back to square 1 stiff as all f### and hard to select 3 4 5 , It is almost like something in the linkage is jamming but after 100km or so and many gear changes it started to come good again

[flashgordon]

I've changed the gearbox oil but this has not improved the gearchange.

I have checked the linkage and am under the impression that the arm with the weight on the end is too stiff.

Are there any links to the linkage removal procedure ? I've tried to take it off by removing three bolts (two one side and one the other) but there is still something stopping it from coming off. From searches I've done I think there is a rear cover over the linkage...but mine hasn't got one which I guess hasn't helped !!