2001 Volkswagen GLI Hard to shift

Tiny
BRENTON7785
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 82,000 MILES
I recently am having a problem shifting in any gear but especially reverse it actually will jump when putting into reverse other gears it won't but it's really stiff getting into gear please anyone experience this please help I'm a single dad of 2 and only transportation I can most likely fix myself just need someone with same problem and a resolution possibly a slave cylinder or throwout bearing I'm thinking. Thanks to all in advance
Friday, April 30th, 2010 AT 8:10 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
Hello Brenton7785

When a transmission jumps out of gear, it may be due to a bent, binding or loose shift linkage, a loose transmission or clutch housing, worn or damaged input shaft bearings, broken motor mount, worn tapered gear teeth or synchronizer hub splines, loose shifter fork or rails, interlock hardware that is broken or missing, or excessive end play or runout in the output shaft or countergear.
Check the fluid level and quality when transmission is hot and engine at idle. If low, check for leak.
Check around slave and master cylinder for leak
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Saturday, May 1st, 2010 AT 2:10 AM
Tiny
MATHIASO
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Does this happens when engine is cold and improve when engine warms up? When last time you change the transmission fluid?
Check fluid level when engine is hot and idling, any sign of leak around slave or master cylinder?

Need those answers so we can continue.
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Saturday, May 1st, 2010 AT 9:12 PM
Tiny
BRENTON7785
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
This is manual transmission and no when it's cold or hot it still is hard to get into gear I checked for leaks there are zero I tried shifting gears while engine is off and it's much easier than when the engine is on but like I said before the only gear that's really hard to get in is reverse and from what I've heard reverse doesn't have syncros but I could be mistaken German vehicles are different
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Saturday, May 1st, 2010 AT 11:45 PM
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
Hello,

Check the condition of the main rod bushing. This is a plastic bearing protected by a rubber boot just behind the shift rod clamp.
Make sure the nuts and bolts are still secure. If the bushing is broken or worn, it should be replaced. Lightly lubricate the bearing with light silicone grease and fit the boot into place. Try shifting gears again before deciding to adjust the linkage.
Tell me what happens.
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Sunday, May 2nd, 2010 AT 6:30 AM

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