My 2005 Fabia Mk1 was suffering with a stiff gearstick not returning to the centre position. Other than that the gearbox is fine. 

 

Fix.

• I pulled open the gearstick gaiter and could see that the spring was not broken.
• I then unbolted  the battery and  removed.  The battery tray was unbolted and swung to the right and over the cars wing so I could gain access to the gearbox selector cables etc.
• On Top of the gearbox you will see the two gearbox cables coming from the car and connecting via swivel connectors to the gear selector arm  on top of the gearbox. If you take hold of the large alloy arm (point 4 in picture ) you can move it right + left and up and down and it should be smooth. Take note of the white plastic guid which slides back and fore on the large alloy arm 
• Not easy but if you use a large screwdriver and pry off the gearbox cable connectors from the knuckles on the gearbox arm on top of the gearbox.  Marked as number 1 in the picture below.
• Now take hold again of the alloy  selector arm on top of the gearbox and push down to see if it pops back up of its own accord. If it does not or slow/stiff  then here is the simple and cheap fix. 
• If you look at the bracket with the two swivel ball joints on it. This has a metal arm  (top swivel joint number 1 is connected to the arm and it fits into the cst allow point A in the picture) which fits into a cast alloy section of the gearbox.  To remove you will need to look to the right and unclip a retaining clip (number 3 in picture) which simply pulls/slides off by hand or long nose pliers.  
• As this metal arm is stiff going into the cast alloy (part A in picture) , then gently pry out to your left and towards the engine. Once out clean up the metal bar which now should be obvious. 
• Now go back to the cast alloy section (point A in picture ) where the metal bar came out of. On either end take a flat screwdriver and pry out the two plastic sheaths which have been pushed into the alloy cast at either end. of alloy  cast A. 
• Order two new ones from the internet or TPS   part number 1J0711067L at a cost of £2.20 +  vat each. 
• When they arrive coat them with a very thin layer of vaseline inside and the metal bar/rod.   Very thin! 
• Now start to refit the bracket and the retaining clip.   Be Careful making sure that the white plastic guide fits correctly over the large alloy arm on the top of the gearbox. 
• Once done, then push the alloy arm downwards and when you leave go its should pop back up on its own.  Therefore not stiff anymore.   If you are at this point and all is well then brilliant.
• Refit the gear cable swivel joints back onto the knuckles.  For the left one I used a hammer to knock a screwdriver (upside down) so the handle pushes the joint back together.  The other one I squeezed back together with large pliers.
• Once done just revisit and test the return to centre of the gearstick in the car. 
• If all is fine then put the battery box back on and refit the battery. 
•  
• The light bulb moment came once I disconnected the swivel gearbox cables. At that point it allowed me to form the opinion that it was the bearbox arm and not in the car and the spring being tired. 
• Hope this cheap fix has been some help for someone before you start to consider more expensive issues.  

Nice, I too have this issue but it doesn't really bother me.

Excellent how-to/write up. Good work.

4 hours ago, JACKAL3278 said:

My 2005 Fabia Mk1 was suffering with a stiff gearstick not returning to the centre position. Other than that the gearbox is fine. 

 

Fix.

• I pulled open the gearstick gaiter and could see that the spring was not broken.
• I then unbolted  the battery and  removed.  The battery tray was unbolted and swung to the right and over the cars wing so I could gain access to the gearbox selector cables etc.
• On Top of the gearbox you will see the two gearbox cables coming from the car and connecting via swivel connectors to the gear selector arm  on top of the gearbox. If you take hold of the large alloy arm (point 4 in picture ) you can move it right + left and up and down and it should be smooth. Take note of the white plastic guid which slides back and fore on the large alloy arm 
• Not easy but if you use a large screwdriver and pry off the gearbox cable connectors from the knuckles on the gearbox arm on top of the gearbox.  Marked as number 1 in the picture below.
• Now take hold again of the alloy  selector arm on top of the gearbox and push down to see if it pops back up of its own accord. If it does not or slow/stiff  then here is the simple and cheap fix. 
• If you look at the bracket with the two swivel ball joints on it. This has a metal arm  (top swivel joint number 1 is connected to the arm and it fits into the cst allow point A in the picture) which fits into a cast alloy section of the gearbox.  To remove you will need to look to the right and unclip a retaining clip (number 3 in picture) which simply pulls/slides off by hand or long nose pliers.  
• As this metal arm is stiff going into the cast alloy (part A in picture) , then gently pry out to your left and towards the engine. Once out clean up the metal bar which now should be obvious. 
• Now go back to the cast alloy section (point A in picture ) where the metal bar came out of. On either end take a flat screwdriver and pry out the two plastic sheaths which have been pushed into the alloy cast at either end. of alloy  cast A. 
• Order two new ones from the internet or TPS   part number 1J0711067L at a cost of £2.20 +  vat each. 
• When they arrive coat them with a very thin layer of vaseline inside and the metal bar/rod.   Very thin! 
• Now start to refit the bracket and the retaining clip.   Be Careful making sure that the white plastic guide fits correctly over the large alloy arm on the top of the gearbox. 
• Once done, then push the alloy arm downwards and when you leave go its should pop back up on its own.  Therefore not stiff anymore.   If you are at this point and all is well then brilliant.
• Refit the gear cable swivel joints back onto the knuckles.  For the left one I used a hammer to knock a screwdriver (upside down) so the handle pushes the joint back together.  The other one I squeezed back together with large pliers.
• Once done just revisit and test the return to centre of the gearstick in the car. 
• If all is fine then put the battery box back on and refit the battery. 
•  
• The light bulb moment came once I disconnected the swivel gearbox cables. At that point it allowed me to form the opinion that it was the bearbox arm and not in the car and the spring being tired. 
• Hope this cheap fix has been some help for someone before you start to consider more expensive issues.  

I've attached a picture of the two plastic sheaths which need replacing and fit either side marked number 3 in the Alloy cast marked A. 

 

Nice write up, i've had this problem on mine since day one, might give this a go considering the parts are so cheap.

if u need any help or advice then give a shout    cheers karl 

This guide was perfect, was quoted around £80 to get this job done and I just completed it for under £10, literally took me under 20 mins to complete.

Thank you.