Shift Mechanism

Special tools and workshop equipment required 

• Torque Wrench (5-50 Nm) V.A.G 1331

Removing 

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

-- Turn off the ignition and disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the boot with the shift knob and noise insulation. Refer to SHIFT KNOB, BOOT AND NOISE INSULATION .

-- Remove the center console and the center console mounting bracket. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the nuts -arrows-.

Fig 1: Removing Nuts For Shift Mechanism Housing

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the complete air filter housing if it located above the shift lever on the transmission. Refer to one of the following:

Gas engines, refer to Description and OperationDescription and Operation .

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

Fig 2: Identifying Gear Selector Lever, Relay Lever & Securing Clips

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the shift cable from the pin.

Metal Relay Lever 

-- Remove the selector cable lock washer -4- from the relay lever -2-.

-- Remove the selector cable from the pin.

Plastic Relay Lever 

Fig 3: Disconnecting Cable Retainer From Selector Cable

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

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

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

Continuation for All 

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

Fig 4: Removing/Installing Cable Mounting Bracket At Transmission

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the noise insulation. Refer to Description and Operation .

-- Remove the tunnel bridges. Refer to one of the following:

Diesel engines, refer to Description and Operation .

Gas engines, refer to Description and Operation .

-- Disconnect the front exhaust system at the double clamp and remove it from the subframe. Refer to one of the following:

Diesel engines, refer to Removal and Installation .

Gas engines, refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Disengage exhaust system rear section. Refer to one of the following:

Diesel engines, refer to Description and Operation .

Gas engines, refer to Description and Operation .

-- Remove the floor panel trim. Refer to Description and Operation .

-- Remove the heat shield under the shift mechanism.

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

Installing 

Install in reverse order of removal.

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

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

-- Tighten the shift housing nuts, see -item 26-  LIST ITEM: NUT.

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

Fig 5: Route The Cables

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

• After the cables cross each other diagonally -arrow-, they must run parallel to each other up to the cable bracket support on the transmission.
• Make sure the cable tie -arrow- for attaching the cables is installed correctly. Installation location, refer to CABLE TIE, INSTALLED LOCATION .
• The cables must be routed inside the depression in the heat shield -3-.

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

Fig 6: Identifying clip that holds the cables in place to the heat shield

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Install the cable bracket support to the transmission and tighten the bolts to specification, see -item 6-  LIST ITEM: BOLT.

These holes have different diameters.

Allocation of cable retainers, refer to CABLE RETAINER ALLOCATION .

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

Fig 7: Identifying Gear Selector Lever, Relay Lever & Securing Clips

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

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

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

Cable Retainer with Plastic Relay Lever 

-- Install the relay lever and the cable retainer. Refer to PLASTIC RELAY LEVER .

-- Install the selector cable in the cable retainer.

Continuation for All 

-- Install the center console. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Install the boot with the shift knob and noise insulation. Refer to SHIFT KNOB, BOOT AND NOISE INSULATION .

-- Install the heat shield under the shift mechanism. Install the underbody cover if it was removed earlier. Refer to Description and Operation .

-- Assemble the exhaust system so that it is free of tension and attach the tunnel bridges. Refer to one of the following:

Diesel engines, refer to Removal and Installation .

Gas engines, refer to Removal and Installation .

Adjust the shift mechanism. Refer to SHIFT MECHANISM, ADJUSTING .

-- If removed, install the air filter housing. Refer to one of the following:

Gas engines, refer to Description and OperationDescription and Operation .

-- Connect the battery and follow the procedure regarding what to do after connecting the battery. Refer to Removal and Installation .