Stiff gearchange
Driving this 2009 VW Golf was becoming progressively difficult due to the stiffening of the gearchange. The gear lever did not spring back to the centre position when released and moving across the gate was difficult.
Our first check was to establish if this problem was due to an internal or external problem, so after removing the air filter housing to gain more access, we disconnected the linkage. At this point it became apparent that the problem was not with the internal cables but with the linkage at the top of the gearbox. The plastic linkage should swivel within the alloy bracket at the top of the gearbox, but it was seized in place. Once the bracket was freed off and removed, we cleaned it up, coated it with copper grease and refitted. It now swivelled freely and, once reassembled, the difference in the feel of the gearchange was significant.