Shift Mechanism Adjustment

The position of the selector lever on the shift rod is the main adjustment made to the shift mechanism. The adjustment procedure uses a Volkswagen special tool. Before adjusting the shift rod to correct shifting difficulties, first check for any worn or broken parts of the shift mechanism.

Beginning mid-1991 on some Jettas, an eccentric is installed in place of the ball at the base of the shift lever to provide additional fine adjustment. All 1992 Golfs and Jettas have the eccentric. The eccentric can be retrofitted to earlier models; however, the shift lever must also be replaced.

To adjust:

1.	Park the car on a level surface. Set the parking brake and place the transmission in neutral.

2.	Loosen the shift rod clamp bolt, shown in Fig. 4-3, so that the shift rod moves freely in the selector lever.

Fig. 4-3.

Shift rod clamp bolt (arrow).

3.	Unscrew the shift knob from the gearshift lever. Remove the gearshift boot by detaching it at the bottom and pulling it up over the lever.

4.	Position the gearshift lever. If possible, use Volkswagen special tool no. 3104 and place it in the position shown in Fig. 4-4 at the base of the gearshift lever. Without disturbing the alignment, torque the clamp bolt to 26 Nm (19 ft. lb.).

Fig. 4-4.

Alignment gauge (Volkswagen special tool no. 3104, order no. T03 104 000 34 ZEL) being used to align shift lever and selector lever.

5.	Check that all the gears engage smoothly and easily. No further adjustment is necessary unless the shift lever has an eccentric.

6.	On models with shift lever eccentric, shift the transmission into 1st gear. Check the position of the shift lever as shown in Fig. 4-5. If necessary, loosen the clamping screw and rotate the eccentric to achieve the correct adjustment. Tighten the screw when done.

Fig. 4-5.

Shift lever adjustment (a) on models with eccentric being checked with shift lever lightly pushed to left. Clamping screw is at A. Rotate eccentric (B) as necessary to achieve correct dimension.