Bushing on shift tower worn out??

I recently noticed my shifter acting up and did adjust the linkages according to the 'How to's' but it wasn't much better. Noticed some slop on the linkages on top of the tranny, so I replaced the Shift linkage(The one with the white square shaped bushing). Readjusted the linkaged, same problem. A friend finally noticed a lot of play on the shaft of the shift tower. Started to have a look and it seems there is a bushing in there that has worn well beyond spec, but I don't think there is a replacement part that VW would sell separate from a new complete tower.
I'll try posting this pic, and draw an arrow to where it is.



Please ignore the red arrow, its a borrowed picture.

Anyhow the black arrow pointing to "Here!" is where the shaft heads downwards, and there is noticeable slop there.
Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

Yep, it's a common one

http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=2281

Just did mine recently and it tightened up the gears nicely. It's a bit tricky getting the bearing shell out and quite often there's wear on the shaft but it still makes an improvement.

Do you have pictures or anything of the process. I have heard many people say they have tried to get that bearing out of there with no such luck. I would like to see or hear how you did it.

Hacksaw blade, cut through it length ways carefully and it just pops out. I found that out the hard way lol

Also... if the counterweight is loose it's not necessarily due to the bushings; it could also be due to the nut holding it in place flattening out and allowing play. To fix this just put a washer with a large inner diameter underneath it.

Btw if the bushings are disintegrated then replacing them is only part of the solution since the gear selector (shift rod) is probably pitted and needs to be replaced as well.

snakeye said:

Btw if the bushings are disintegrated then replacing them is only part of the solution since the gear selector (shift rod) is probably pitted and needs to be replaced as well.

Click to expand...

In an ideal world where it wasn't so expensive. The main damage is on that cup part though and not the shaft. There's a sprung loaded ball bearing that runs round the cup into different grooves and it tends to dry out and make it's own grooves. Can't say it's had a big impact on my car though, mostly just that bearing sleeve causing stiff side to side movement and a bit of extra sloppiness.

These should help more

https://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=409035

DIY: Shifter Tower Bearing & Bushing Repair
https://forums.vwvortex.com/showthr...er-Bearing-amp-Bushing-Repair#/topics/5816525



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Yep, and that old thread revived some memory of forum members that we don't hear much out of anymore.