Shift Mechanism

Removing

Special tools and workshop equipment 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. Refer to Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the shift knob, boot and cover. Refer to SHIFT KNOB, BOOT AND COVER .

Rabbit for Model Years (MY) 2006-2009

-- Remove the foot well trim panel from the center console and the ashtray or storage compartment and then remove the center console. Refer to "Storage Compartments, Covers and Trim" in Removal and Installation .

Golf from MY 2010

-- Remove the ashtray or storage compartment from the center console. Refer to "Storage Compartments, Covers and Trim" in Removal and Installation .

The foot well rear channel is located above the bracket for the center console on some vehicles:

-- Remove the foot well rear channel. Refer to "Vents" in Removal and Installation .

Fig 1: Identifying Rear Footwell Air Duct Remove/Install Components

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the center console mounting bracket nut. Refer to "Storage Compartments, Covers and Trim" in Removal and Installation .

-- Remove the shift housing nuts. Refer to Fig 2.

-- Lower the shift housing.

If it is not possible to lower the shift housing, then the nuts on the shift housing are located under the bracket on the center console.
It will be necessary to remove the bracket from the center console. Refer to "Storage Compartments, Covers and Trim" in Removal and Installation .

Continuation for all Vehicles

-- If present, remove the interior monitoring sensor -G273- from rear nuts.

Fig 2: Identifying Shift Housing To Center Console Nuts

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

-- Remove the shift cable from the pin.

Fig 3: Identifying Gear Selector Lever, Relay Lever & Securing Clips

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

With a Metal Relay Lever

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

-- Remove the selector cable from the pin.

With a Plastic Relay Lever

Fig 4: Identifying Sequence To Disconnect Cable Retainer From Selector Cable

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

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

Continuation for all Shift Mechanisms

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

Fig 5: Identifying Removal/Installation Of 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.

-- Separate the front exhaust system at the double clamp and remove the suspended mount from the subframe.

-- Remove the underbody trim. Refer to Description and Operation .

-- Pivot the shift housing downward and remove it with the 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 nut, see -item 16- in SHIFT LEVER AND HOUSING, FROM 11.06 .

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

Fig 6: Identifying Routed Cables

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After the cables cross each other diagonally -arrow-, they must run parallel to each other up to the cable bracket on the transmission.
Make sure the cable tie -arrow- for attaching the cables is installed correctly. Installed position, refer to Figure.
The cables must be routed inside the depression in the heat shield -3-.

A clip -A- holds the cables to the heat shield.

Fig 7: Identifying clip that holds the cables in place to the heat shield

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Allocation of cable retainers, refer to Figure.

The cable retainers have different diameter holes.

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

Fig 8: Identifying Gear Selector Lever, Relay Lever & Securing Clips

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- 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 .

-- Insert the selector cable into the cable retainer.

Continuation for all Shift Mechanisms

-- Install the center console. Refer to "Storage Compartments, Covers and Trim" in Removal and Installation .

-- Install the shift knob, boot and cover. Refer to SHIFT KNOB, BOOT AND COVER .

-- Install the underbody trim. Refer to Description and Operation .

-- Assemble the exhaust system free of tension and install the tunnel bridges. Refer to Exhaust System, Emission Controls .

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

-- Observe the work sequence after connecting the battery. Refer to Removal and Installation .

Tightening specifications

Component
Shift housing to body, see -item 26 - in or -item 16- in SHIFT LEVER AND HOUSING, FROM 11.06
Cable bracket to transmission, see -item 6- in SHIFT AND SELECTOR CABLES, WITH A METAL CABLE BRACKET AND RELAY LEVER or -item 13- in SHIFT AND SELECTOR CABLES, WITH A PLASTIC CABLE BRACKET AND RELAY LEVER