I recently bought back an Octavia vRS that I used to own and since then the gearbox was ridiculously stiff and failed to engage some gears when warm.

I've followed the guide and adjusted the gear linkages and changes the gearbox oil with original Skoda gearbox oil and there is still some stiffness.

I can manage to find the gears fine now and it does feel slightly smoother but there is no "bounce" in the neutral position.

Any further suggestions before I whip it out and take it to a gearbox centre??

How hard is it to select gears with the engine off?

As easy/difficult as with the engine running. It's the fact it doesn't spring into neutral that's confusing me - the selector on top of the box itself is stiff to pump up and down

Have you changed gearbox oil, if not do it,

Use genuine oil from dealers its cheap enough

Have you changed gearbox oil, if not do it,

Use genuine oil from dealers its cheap enough

Exactly what I've done mate and it feels slightly better but still stiff

Disconnect the cables from the gearbox and see how free the gear stick is. If its really loose it's a box issue. If its still a little stiff you could have partially seized/damaged gear cables.

Disconnect the cables from the gearbox and see how free the gear stick is. If its really loose it's a box issue. If its still a little stiff you could have partially seized/damaged gear cables.

Good thinking, I'll try that tomorrow. Cheers.

Did I read somewhere that solid bushes are available for it to stiffen the change? Sure that mod hasn't been done?

Sent from my Galaxy S3, not a Crapple!

Did I read somewhere that solid bushes are available for it to stiffen the change? Sure that mod hasn't been done?

Sent from my Galaxy S3, not a Crapple!

I've got those bushes. Makes the change more precise.

But still smooth. Doesn't sound like whats going on here.

I've got those bushes. Makes the change more precise.

But still smooth. Doesn't sound like whats going on here.

Ta was just an idea, they any good?

Sent from my Galaxy S3, not a Crapple!

It makes it feel like its a solid connection rather than cables if that makes sense!!!

Dirt cheap if I remember rightly.