Hi all, hoping for a bit of advice for for 2009 Mk2 Fabia 3 (1.9TDI).

 

My gear shifts have been getting a bit harder recently, struggle to get into reverse and first (reverse is worse), but not all the time. The gear lever doesn't self centre to neutral like it should.

 

There's no crunching when changing gears and I haven't noticed a difference in the clutch.

 

Bit of searching on the forum came up with this for the linkages: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/202072-how-to-adjust-the-gear-stick-to-gear-box-linkage/

 

Would this be applicable to my car? It seems to be from having a look under the bonnet, as I plan to have a go this weekend, as this seems quite straightforward.

 

If anyone's got any other thoughts/suggestions it'd be much appreciated.

 

Cheers.

I have previously had this issue which was the mechanism on the top of the gearbox. A  spray with WD40, followed up with the oil can cured this. get someone to do the left to right gearlever action while you look under the bonnet to identify relevant/required movements.

 

Gearbox treacle - Skoda Fabia Mk II - BRISKODA

It's one of two things, first and most likely the change rods on the box and swivel knuckle need lubricating, the best thing to use is a silicone based spray as most other releasing  sprays  contain oil which can swell the  rubber bushes and ruin them, the second issue could be a weak pressure plate in the clutch or clutch plate but you can check this by putting handbrake on blocking front wheels starting the car and put the car in 5th gear give it about 2500 rpm and try to pull off,  if pressure plate and clutch are fine the car will stall straight away, if there is an issue with clutch or pressure plate the car with drag and take a few seconds to stall, but mostly it's the rods try this first before the clutch hope this helps

Thanks both for your advice, I'll have a crack with some lube first before I start to get drastic.

 

Cheers

Just a quick update, tried your suggestions. Car stalled immediately, so hopefully not the clutch. Did a bit of liberal lubrication with a silicon based spray, which has made some difference. Its far less notchy now which is great. Will have a bit more of a play at the weekend, once remove some bits for easier access.

Thanks again both, you're both legends.

If it is high mileage, 120 - 150K, gearbox oil change can reduce stiffness / notchyness, if none of the other suggestions work.

Just reset the gear linkage as per the instructions.

Squirting magic jizz or changing the oil will do feckall.