Fixing a sloppy VW T4 Gear Linkage: won't go into gear?

The gearstick went all sloppy and it was difficult to find gears. I did a get me home hack and then in this video I show how I replaced the silicone socket that the linkage pivots on. You can buy the correct parts at this affiliate link: amzn.to/2GeEZ3q
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[@strawberryfieldsforever3308]

you are a rockstar a legend and a life saver' bringing a t4 from scotland to yorkshire today with my brother and the linkage went on us..we sat and watched this video a few times then begged some cable ties from a guy got a bit of wood from the side of the road and fixed the gears good enough to get us the rest of the way home..Thanks,

[@user-xt7pl6rk7z]

What a legend, top marks. And eco friendly with the tie wraps. From an ex aircraft engineers you would be a breath of fresh air in the aviation industry xxx much love, Jack

[@BareFootDuck]

Your a legend, not a swear word uttered. I'm about to tackle this job as soon as the parts arrive.

[@gurninbongo]

Nice one . This happened to us this morning and this video saved me calling out a mechanic and paying a fortune. Got the van working again and will buy another Gromit (Will not put in boiling water) Thanks for the help

[@bootsowen]

I wonder how much they would charge for this? Good work!

[@Jono72drum]

The way I found to do it is to put the socket in ( I used a little washing up liquid pushed in most of it and used a flat blade screwdriver to get the last bit in) then block behind the socket with a bit of wood and the same the other end of the rod leaving a small gap to get a pry bar between the block and the ball the other end and just lever the ball into the socket

[@silamen1]

I have done this job and it is a ball ache to get the ball into the socket. A tip for what I did was to set up what was essentially a tourniquet. With para cord or dynamo rope, I got them around the linkage and the back of the socket and used a bar to tension the rope and eventually it popped in, a few knuckle rashes to get it done, but its an option.

[@crystalballgazers]

Genius temporary fix too! I’m dealing with this issue right now. I can get all the gears in except for reverse and 5th.. so I’m choosing not to drive and fifth and keeping it in fourth gear. This is a manual transmission. Thank you for the help I appreciate it.

[@bootsowen]

thanks

[@MachadoK75]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. After watching your video I managed to rectify my VW t4. Thanks

[@DrFreeeman]

Glad I'm not the only one reusing zip ties!

[@DontBeNaiveGuys]

I have the same problem. Finding my gears is like playing lucky dip. So linkages are now top of my list.

[@ralphr3886]

I just did this job, real pain without the help ofthis video and tips below. I used a block of wood wedged against the socket end and engine block (Make sure its nice and snug and covers the whole socket) then used waterpump pliers in the same way as the vid. Strength needed to squeeze it shut but it popped in and feels better than before. But I am going to copy bootsowen and get a kit together incase it pops again (sods law when i am in the middle of nowherewith the Fam) Cheers for the ultra helpfull video Bootsowen

[@bootsowen]

Is this the video where I used cable ties and a stick or where I did it properly?

[@iainb1360]

Great video and thank you, even though you struggled a bit it gave me hope as I’m a shocking at fiddly things, it’s on my list but videos like this give a huge insight of how to plan for the job👏👏👏👏

[@carlklister]

Thanks for the video. I just did this repair, only bashed my knuckles, no blood. I wedged a tool behind the cup and used a piece of pipe as a pry bar to force the ball into the cup. Had to be careful to not lean on the brake lines. Cheers

[@Tracimoon2222]

Thankyou for this! I was worried this was going to cost us big time we have a T4 that has just broken down .My Son said that the gearstick went floppy and he had to drive home in 4th gear 😧 We have no idea what the cost for this repair but this gives me something to work on God bless 🙏 💜💜💜

[@iansulli6828]

Great video, we've struggled with this too and will have another crack tomorrow after watching this video

[@andylulham2186]

This fix has the potential to get us home in a few days. Thanks for the video!

[@bootsowen]

Good work buddy, let me know if it works for you!

[@kurttrew3952]

Thanks for this. Managed to get the socket in after quite some time. Just got to try and get the ball into the socket now! I like the tourniquet idea as I haven't got any mole grips.

[@lescooper5224]

I had this happen a couple of days ago and used your method and now it's working so thank u for ur video it got me going again cheers

[@Winter-Soldier...]

I have a t4 2.4 l diesel with a double cabin but my father turned it into a pick up truck with shutters with a latch on each shutter the problem is the gear linkage is a bit bad and needs replacement we got the parts i watched your video and now he can Replace the gear linkage

[@SUPMyRace]

Brilliant! Just lost all drive on mine, found this and now limping to garage with the aid of cable ties and a bit of wood. Slightly harder to fix on a 2.5 2003 as there is nothing substantial to attach the wooden split to, linkage seems further back than yours. But got enough on it to get going again. Thanks!!

[@bootsowen]

Happy days! that's what it's all about!

[@brewboxbar6964]

Cheers Bootsowen. Very helpful indeed. Just need to get me some vice grips wide enough now.

[@juansanchez007]

ThankQ BO, got the parts from VW Heritage £5.50 but had to pay for postage. Will get the Amazon ones as back-up. Same brand! (Topran). Will try this fit this afternoon. Great video including care for the environment! Thanks again, stay safe buddy, Doc.

[@jamescoppens8506]

Awsome video I found taking the left bushing plate off the engine and using a vice to get the bushing on using grease then I could get the ball in that’s when I viewed this video huge help

[@markwildman66mw]

Very informative, thanks.

[@paulatkins5401]

A couple of extra tips, rather than using large pliers or a clamp is to heat the ball in boiling water and only take it out of the pan when you need it & apply then some grease. Get set up with a long lever and a small piece of wood to push on the ball with. Went on a treat without having to dismantle too much (only the cage around the ball with 2x10mm headed bolts).

[@bootsowen]

I tried the boiling water trick on the cheapest balls on ebay, the ball melted and shrunk!

[@jointherevolution5577]

Very helpful!

[@campbellcampbell4157]

I took the whole linkage off. My tip would be put the small ball in the plastic socket and metal bracket line up the hole with the rod, and then force the rod in.

[@dappie125]

Great video thans

[@drgrowgbenrorowaiye2102]

Thanks. Helpful

[@bootsowen]

You're welcome

[@charlesatwell9976]

Thanks for this.

[@bootsowen]

My pleasure!

[@charlesatwell9976]

@@bootsowen We had a similar problem with our T4, but not as bad as yours. (Hard to get into reverse.) The guy spayed the linkage with some graphite and now it's a bit smoother.

[@mib32]

aaaa helpful bro

[@johndelaney2957]

I just put some vice grips on the shaft where you have the wood until i fixed it.

[@MihovTV]

Auto or manual transmission?

[@ruurdmelchers1981]

Hello Bootsowen, watched your video. Our T4 o2b transmission ha s a problem with reverse gear. The safety of the reverse gear doesn't work anymore. Is this also a case of the linkage and replacing the bushes? Greetings

[@bootsowen]

Is that an issue ?

[@ruurdmelchers1981]

@@bootsowen well yeah because the shifter feels sloppy and now there's a big chance that you accidentally put the car in reverse instead of first. Also you need to "gamble" a bit to get it into second while shifting down.

[@bootsowen]

If it’s sloppy the bushes should tighten it up. It might grind but I can’t see how you could actually get it into reverse when moving?

[@ruurdmelchers1981]

@@bootsowen you're right it's almost impossible to put it in reverse while driving. But when you are waiting for traffic lights you want to be in first and not reverse.. I will take a look at the bushings. Thanks for the advice.

[@bikeworldted5893]

Well I've been trying for 2 hours to get the bush into the metal hole with no success. I don't think I'm getting the bush soft enough in hot water, it still feels really hard. Did you boil it in a pan or just put a Keetle full over it?? Great vid as always 👍

[@bootsowen]

I put it in a cup of hot water for a few minutes, but the balls I had were not the kind that liked heat. You could use some spit or silicone grease and that might ease it in a bit. you need to get a good bit of pressure on it. Depending on where you are the cold weather might not help. point a hairdryer at the bit it goes into until it gets some heat into it and try again and again and again! Let me know how you get on!

[@bikeworldted5893]

@@bootsowen I'll keep you posted. I managed to get a tiny g clamp on it but it just wouldn't stay square when winding in. I'm going to keep the hot water near the van tomorrow and hopefully reduce any heat being lost. Thanks for replying 👍👍👍

[@bikeworldted5893]

Well I don't know how you did it. I had to take the bracket out and boil the rubber again and put it in with a vice!! I'd never have done it how you and others did. Only thing I can see is my new part isn't made of the same material as yours, mine is more like nylon!! Anyway it's in so just got to get the ball back in tomorrow. Keep the vids coming, they help me so much 👍👍

[@stevemcgowan3017]

Hi boots I’m tryin get ball back in to hoop .mine popped out we on holiday can only get 3rd an 4th gears my mum dad in hotel near we got take them home we up road camped night it started losin 5 th gear then reverse the back nut on hoop was loose probably why ball came out .my gearstick broke so had for 2nd gear shaft was workin good

[@bootsowen]

How could I help you?

[@stevemcgowan3017]

bootsowen it’s ok sorted now got ball back in hoop it was loose nut at back of hoop

[@wayneturner7678]

good vid when you put yours in reverse do push it down next to 1st gear

[@tipptop9]

I'm only a recent subscriber and I guess the ethos of you channel is reduce and reuse but the T4 linkage repair kit is about €10. Nice job though!

[@bootsowen]

Indeed, I'm not sure that you watched the whole video before you passed comment there buddy.

[@tipptop9]

Haha yeah guess that will teach me to watch the whole thing, I just seen your frankenlinkage and recycled tie wraps and said no way will you buy a repair kit! Serves me right, nice tip about the tie wraps btw. I do a bit of beach combing and would be surprised if I walked 5 metres and didnt see a tie wrap.

[@mcjjordan]

Job from hell that ball/socket

[@ledzep665]

How long did you have it in hot water for?

[@bootsowen]

Tool long? Maybe a minute or two. I would use silicone slip compound if i was doing it again.

[@ledzep665]

@@bootsowen Thanks, perhaps thats where im going wrong. I been leaving it in for about 5 mins

[@pujapete3665]

utube is getting so bad with ads.....thanks for that

[@bootsowen]

Adblocker?

[@CL4SSiCS]

You should get some wd40 and a old rag and go over your wipers so you can restore them a bit

[@bootsowen]

Are they not working? How do you know? I would have thought the oils in WD40 would have accelerated the demise of rubber.

[@CL4SSiCS]

bootsowen you know the blades, just put some you can look on the web if you still don’t know.

[@MrJetta985]

I always buy cheap parts, most of the time they lasts longer as the expensive origin

[@bootsowen]

Yes, and the way I see it you are putting them into a 20 year old van. Maybe new genuine vw parts on an almost new vehicle.

[@lisaharris3426]

Just trying to find info to helh friend aviod paying the $6000 + he's been quoted to fix this same problem. Thanks great insight Lisa

[@bootsowen]

I posted another video where I repaired this issue with cable ties and a twig.

[@mcjjordan]

Its the opposite of giving birth

[@bootsowen]

Did you try it?

[@PRINTEXUE]

What a shitty gearbox sollution, had 10 cars never problem with gearbox, only piece of rubber keeps this part in possition

[@bootsowen]

This isn't the gearbox, it's a linkage.