Gear Stick Problems

[dazzler441]

Hello, I have read a lot of the posts on here around gear linkages and the adjustments. I keep hitting my hand on the dash when going from first to second and third to fourth, it keeps hitting the stereo and is so bad that I can't leave the fascia on it. I have a five speed box and as part of the service I got done today I asked the garage to check the gear linkage and they stated all is okay. The guy who did the service who also owns a T25 stated that it was a common problem.
Has any of the experts on here ever attempted to heat up and bend the gear stick further away towards the rear of the van. I know a good steel fabricating company that a mate runs, but I don't want to risk any damage. I know that replacement gear sticks are very hard to come by.
I'm open to any ideas or suggestions.
Thanks

[jamesc76]

Brickwerks do a short shifter kit (tho not sure if ok for 5 speed????) I fitted on its ace!

[Plasticman]

well, I once removed the knob and slid a ring spanner down the shaft then held this to hold the stick whilst I grabbed the top nand bent it cold to the position I wanted , 4 years on and it was still fine,
thgat said just sorting the slop out in worn partd makes for a smoother shift and if you still want it shorter then buy the kit or mod it yourself
mike

[Aidan]

if you are hitting the stereo then your selector rods are too long, you can reduce the length by undoing the pinch bolt in the middle and gently tap the rear section forward so that more of the splines are covered up, helps if someone holds the gearstick whilst you do the underneath bit, mark up the allignment first before undoing the bolt so you don't mess up the shift.

[Plasticman]

Brain fade last night, so as Aiden says^^^^ Though I still bend mine cold to get the stick end just where I want it..
mm

[billy739]

it should only have one bend it it ,
its either bent more or your linkage / stick base needs adjusting

is it 4/5 speed?

do not try to bend it near the ring that holds the spring inplace is , it will snap.

[silverbullet]

I have reinforced and "straightened" a few now, they do go a very interesting "S" shape in certain hands

[dazzler441]

It is a 5 speed box and was planning on bending the gear stick nearer the top part of the gear stick. I'll take the advice on board and check the linkages first and see where we go from there. Is it worth looking at the gear linkage repairs kits from VW Heritage or similar?
Thanks again to all who helped.

[silverbullet]

It will be bent away from the driver, starting at the ball fitting in the floor and progressing through the spring up to the collar, all hidden under the rubber boot. Pop it off and take a look, that's where your problems lie
You'll have to take the whole thing out to sort it, whatever. Bending the gear lever in-situ is asking for gearbox internal damage, you have a lot of leverage available.
The factory bend is the visible one above the boot.