Shift Mechanism

Shift Mechanism

Removing

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

• Torque Wrench (5-50 Nm) (V.A.G 1331)

- First, check whether a coded radio is installed. If so, obtain the anti-theft code.

- Turn off the ignition and disconnect the battery ground cable.

- Removing the shift knob and boot. Refer to => [ Shift Knob, Boot and Noise Insulation ] Shift Knob, Boot and Noise Insulation.

Rabbit, MY 2006-2009:

- Remove the footwell trim panel from the center console and the ashtray or storage compartment and then remove the center console.

Golf, from MY 2010:

- Remove the ashtray or storage compartment and the center console bracket.

- Remove the center console and then the footwell rear channel, if equipped.





If the Center Console Bracket cannot be Removed Separately:

- Remove the center console.

Continuation for All:

- Remove the nuts - arrows -.





- Remove the air filter housing if it is located above the selector shaft.

- Remove the shift cable lock washer - 3 - from the transmission selector lever - 1 -.

- Remove the shift cable from the pin.





With a Metal Relay Lever:

- Remove the selector cable circlip - 4 - from the relay lever - 2 -.

- Remove the selector cable from the pins.

With a Plastic Relay Lever:

Disconnecting the Cable Retainer from the Selector Cable





- Pull the securing mechanism all the way forward in the - direction of arrow 1 - and then unlock it to the left in - direction of arrow 2 -.

- Press the relay lever forward (in the - direction of arrow 3 -).

- Remove the relay lever with the cable retainer. Refer to => [ Plastic Relay Lever ] Plastic Relay Lever.

Continuation for all Shift Mechanisms:

- Remove the cable bracket bolts - arrows - from the transmission. Unclip the hose line - A - from the bracket - B - beforehand, if necessary.





- Remove the noise insulation.

- Remove the tunnel bridges.

- Disconnect the front exhaust system at the double clamp and remove it from the subframe.

- Disengage the exhaust system rear section.

- Remove the floor panel trim.

- Pivot the shift housing downward and remove it with cables.

Installing

Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal while observing the following:

- Align the shift housing so that it is parallel to the body.

• The distance on both sides to the body must be equal.

For tightening the shift housing, refer to - item 26 - in => [ Shift Lever and Housing, through 10.06 ] Shift Mechanism Overviews or - item 16 - in => [ Shift Lever and Housing, from 11.06 ] Shift Mechanism Overviews.

- Route the cables - 1 - from the shift mechanism - 2 - to the transmission as follows:





• After the cables across each other diagonally - arrow -, they must run parallel to each other up to the cable bracket on the transmission.

• Make sure the cable tie strap - arrow - for attaching the cables is installed correctly. Installed location, refer to => [ Cable Tie Installed Location ] Shift Mechanism Overviews.

• The cables must be routed inside the depression in the heat shield - 3 -.

• The heat shield from above is shown in the magnified view.

A clip - A - holds the cables and heat shield to each other in place.





These holes have different diameters.

Allocation of cable retainers, refer to => [ Cable Retainer Allocation ] Shift Mechanism Overviews.

- Apply a small amount of grease on the pins - arrows - on the transmission shift lever - 1 - and on relay lever - 2 -.





• For the correct grease, refer to the Parts Catalog.

- Replace the lock washers - 3 and 4 - on the metal relay lever each time they are removed.

- Secure the shift cable with the lock washer - 3 - and the selector cable with the lock washer - 4 -.

Cable Retainer with a Plastic Relay Lever:

- The relay lever and cable retainer must be installed together. Refer to => [ Plastic Relay Lever ] Plastic Relay Lever.

- Insert the selector cable into the cable retainer.

Continuation for all Shift Mechanisms:

- Install the center console.

- Install the shift knob with boot. Refer to => [ Shift Knob, Boot and Noise Insulation ] Shift Knob, Boot and Noise Insulation.

- Install the floor panel trim.

- Assemble the exhaust system so that it is free of tension and attach the tunnel bridges.

Adjust the shift mechanism. Refer to => [ Shift Mechanism, Adjusting ] Adjustments.

- If removed, install the air filter housing.

- Observe the work sequence after connecting the battery.

Tightening Specifications