Tight/stiff Gear Stick (Left To Right) Only When Hot

[Weser 30]

After a little help with a problem that I have and peoples opinions. On my 1.9 gti the gear change seems pretty good some play but not much selecting gears is good etc. If i'm moving in the car it will be fine all day. However if I get caught in traffic and left on idle not really moving for 10-15 mins the linkage gets stiffer when going left to right. Front to back seems ok still but its hard to tell for sure.

 

Im presuming that the lack of airflow when stood still means something on the linkages is heating up and expanding. I am not familiar with the linkages so I was wondering where people reckon I should be looking? Do I need new bushes? I slackened the nut under the cap on the L bracket pivot a little and that seemed to help a but but they still get stiffer. Also not keen on loosening the nut really.

[Tom Fenton 1,548]

The L bracket will alter your fore/aft movement at the gear knob so it isn't that.

 

Side to side could be either the ball pivot on the subframe stiff/seized, easy to check remove the wire clip pop the rod off and grease the ball pivot. Or it could be the support nylon clamp for the rod which is located underneath the gaiter.

 

Finally it could be the box itself, when it goes stiff try popping the rods off at the gearbox and see if the gearknob then flaps around freely (gearbox is problem) or if the knob is still stiff to move around (linkage problem)

[Weser 30]

Cheers for the suggestions

Finally it could be the box itself, when it goes stiff try popping the rods off at the gearbox and see if the gearknob then flaps around freely (gearbox is problem) or if the knob is still stiff to move around (linkage problem)

That is a great idea, should of thought of that. I will probably do this first - makes sense to.

 

I am surprised if it is the box as it seems fine. Its only once the area gets hot. If you get moving again and I am guessing the air cools the linkages down it gets better.

 

Will check and grease the ball pivot sounds like a wise move. Any pictures around so I can get a clear idea of it all?

 

edit: Scrap that googled a pic of the sub frame - got it in my head.

Edited November 19, 2014 by Weser

[jackherer 543]

I've had exactly those symptoms, it was just the ball joint on the subframe needing grease.

[Weser 30]

Ahh Really. I will give that a look at then. Will get it up on the ramp and check it all out. Be nice if its a quick fix.