Shift Mechanism

Shift Mechanism

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items 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.

- Remove the shift knob boot and frame. Refer to => [ Shift Knob, Boot and Frame ] Shift Knob, Boot and Frame.

- Remove the center console cover.

- Remove the nuts - arrows -.






- Remove the engine cover with air filter.

When working on the shift mechanism in the engine compartment:

- Remove the shift cable lock washer - 2 - from the shift lever - 3 -.






- Remove the shift cable - 1 - from the pin on the shift lever - 3 -.

• To avoid damage to the selector cable, the cable retainer must be disconnected from the shift lever before removal.

- 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 -.






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

• The cable retainer may be removed only when the relay lever is removed. Refer to => [ Prying the Selector Cable Retainer Off of the Relay Lever ] Shift and Selector Cables Overview.

- Remove the cable bracket bolts - arrows - from the transmission.






- Remove the noise insulation.

- Remove the tunnel brace.

- Disconnect the front exhaust pipe and the front muffler from the double clamp and remove the suspended mount bolts - arrows - from the subframe.






- Unhook the exhaust system rear section.

- Remove the left and right underbody trim panel.

- Remove the heat shield under the shift mechanism.

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

Installing

Install in the reverse order of removal. Note the following:

- 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 nuts on the shift housing - arrows -. Tightening specification, see - item 16 - in the => [ Shift Lever and Housing Overview ] Shift Lever and Housing Overview.

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






• 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 securing the cables is installed correctly. Installed position. Refer => [ Cable Tie, Installed Position ] Shift and Selector Cables Overview.

• The cables must be routed inside the depression in the heat shield - 3 -.

• The heat shield is shown from above in the magnified view.

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






- Install the cable bracket - 1 - to the transmission and tighten the bolts - arrows - to specification, see - item 15 - in the refer to => [ Shift and Selector Cables Overview ] Shift and Selector Cables Overview.






These holes have different diameters.

Allocation of the cable retainers. Refer to => [ Cable Retainer Allocation ] Shift and Selector Cables Overview.

- Apply a small amount of grease on the pin - arrow - on the shift lever - 2 -.






• Grease allocation, refer to the Parts Catalog.

- Secure the shift cable with a new lock washer - 1 - to the shift lever.

- Install the selector cable into the cable retainer on the relay lever.

Adjust the shift mechanism. Refer to => [ Shift Mechanism, Adjusting ] Adjustments.

- Install the center console cover.

- Install the shift knob, boot and frame. Refer to => [ Shift Knob, Boot and Frame ] Shift Knob, Boot and Frame.

- Attach the heat shield under the shift mechanism.

- If removed, install the left and right underbody trim panels.

- Install the exhaust system rear section.

- Install the front exhaust pipe suspended mount to subframe bolts - arrows - and connect the front exhaust pipe with the front muffler on the double clamp.






- Align the exhaust system free of tension.

- Install the tunnel brace.

- Install the battery tray and the battery.

- Install the engine cover with air filter.

- Connect the battery and follow the procedure regarding what to do after connecting the a battery.