I have on 02A gearbox on my car. The selector was very worn so I have replaced the 02A with an 02J version (from an ibiza 1.8T). The gate felt very clean direct and fantastic for the first couple of days. I set the gear linkage using a 5mm drill bit and locking the selector on the gearbox casing. A couple of day later I find I am having issues with 1st, 2nd and reverse.... Any ideas what might be causing these problems? It seems getting over the left hand end of the gate is a bit sticky and unreliable. I have lubed the shaft on the selector which doesn't seem to help. What's wrong? Is it an internal gearbox issue? If i try a couple of times and really smash the leaver over to the left I can select gears ok but this really isn't normal.
