Spencer 0 1 Cars Posted April 13, 2021 (edited) Hello all, I'm a newbie here, having just acquired my phase 1 1.6 GTI a couple of weeks ago. I knew that the common problem with the worn gear linkage popping off of the ball joint was going to be an issue, and sure enough, on the first drive I had to pop it back into place after a minor bump in the road. I've already ordered a replacement kit, but as I ordered it from the UK, it could take a while to get here to New Mexico. In the meantime, is there a temporary quick fix I can employ to keep it "on the ball" so to speak? Thanks, Spencer Edited April 13, 2021 by Spencer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DamirGTI 323 Posted April 13, 2021 Yes , put the loose/popping link rod in a vice (or bash it with a hammer , or use bigger plumbers pliers) and tighten/twist up the link ends in a form of a fish eye instead round .. and test if it holds onto the ball , if still a bit loose/popping tighten/twist some more . D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ozymandis 96 Posted April 13, 2021 (edited) Or wind a few turns of lock-wire, baler wire, garden tie wire or W H Y around the offending joint in situ, and it will hold it together . Edited April 13, 2021 by Ozymandis Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spencer 0 1 Cars Posted April 13, 2021 15 hours ago, DamirGTI said: Yes , put the loose/popping link rod in a vice (or bash it with a hammer , or use bigger plumbers pliers) and tighten/twist up the link ends in a form of a fish eye instead round .. and test if it holds onto the ball , if still a bit loose/popping tighten/twist some more . D Thanks for the recommendation, I'll give it a squeeze Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spencer 0 1 Cars Posted April 13, 2021 10 hours ago, Ozymandis said: Or wind a few turns of lock-wire, baler wire, garden tie wire or W H Y around the offending joint in situ, and it will hold it together . I was thinking that might do it, I'll see what wire I can find that might work. Thanks for the suggestion! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanteICE 72 Posted April 14, 2021 Take a cable tie, link up the end, twist it into a figure 8, place one loop over the rod and the other over the ball joint, with the crossing point under the rod, place rod back on ball joint and tighten the cable tie. The cable tie should pull down on the rod using the ball joint as the anchor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fenton 1,524 Posted April 14, 2021 Easiest way is take a piece of rubber glove or thick plastic sheet. Put it over the ball then pop the joint on. Often it is enough to take the wear out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reebmit 51 4 Cars Posted April 15, 2021 Cable tie method worked well for me a while back... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites