Shift Mechanism, Removing And Installing: Removing

-- Disconnect the battery ground cable. Refer to BATTERY, DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING .

-- Remove the boot with the gearshift knob and, if necessary, remove the noise insulation from the center console frame as well. Refer to GEARSHIFT KNOB, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

The Footwell Rear Channel Is Located above the Nut for the Center Console on Some Vehicles:

-- Remove the center console. Refer to CENTER CONSOLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the footwell rear channel. Refer to OVERVIEW - AIR ROUTING AND AIR DISTRIBUTION IN VEHICLE INTERIOR .

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

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the nuts for the center console securing bracket. Refer to CENTER CONSOLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the gearshift housing nuts.

-- Lower the gearshift housing.

If it is not possible to lower the gearshift housing, then the nuts on the gearshift housing are located under the bracket on the center console.
The center console securing bracket must be removed. Refer to CENTER CONSOLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

For Vehicles Where the Center Console Securing Bracket Cannot Be Removed Separately:

-- Remove the center console. Refer to CENTER CONSOLE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the center console with the center console securing bracket. Refer to OVERVIEW - CENTER CONSOLE .

-- Remove the footwell rear channel. Refer to OVERVIEW - AIR ROUTING AND AIR DISTRIBUTION IN VEHICLE INTERIOR .

Installation Position of Noise Insulation and Gearshift Housing Nuts arrows

Fig 2: Installed Position of Noise Insulation and Gearshift Housing Nuts -arrows-.

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the noise insulation and gearshift housing nuts -arrows-.

-- Remove the noise insulation from the gearshift housing. Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .

-- Remove the entire air filter housing if it is located over the gearshift mechanism. Refer to AIR FILTER HOUSING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the shift cable from the gearshift lever pins.

Cable Retainer, Separating from Selector Cable

Fig 3: Disconnecting Cable Retainer From Selector Cable

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

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

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

Relay Lever, Removing with Cable Retainer

Fig 4: Identifying Relay Lever With Clip

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Remove the clip -arrow 1- and then remove the relay lever together with the cable retainer -arrow 2-.

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

Fig 5: Identifying Cable Bracket Support Bolts

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

CAUTION:

Risk of damaging the decoupling element on the exhaust pipe.

Pay attention to OVERVIEW - EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM .

-- Remove the exhaust pipe under the shift mechanism. Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER .

-- Remove the heat shield under the gearshift mechanism.

Heat Shield, Removing. Refer to HEAT SHIELD, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

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

With the Relay Lever Removed: Pry the Selector Cable Retainer off of the Relay Lever.

Fig 6: Identifying Screwdriver To Pry Selector Cable Retainer Out Of Plastic Relay Lever

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

-- Insert a screwdriver -A- between the bushing -B- and the relay lever.