hard shifting into 2nd

dont think its the trans or synchros.
going from 1st to 2nd is smooth if the shifter comes straight back but there is alot of slop in the area of 2nd. i have to "fish" for second sometimes.
is there something in the bottom of shifter that might be worn? all the other gears go right in with no thought but second is driving me nuts.help

Bob, there's a ball-and-socket arrangement on the bottom end of the shifter with a spring pushing it upward. Right behind that, in the top of the tunnel, there's a bushing that the shift rod has to pass through to guide the rear of the rod correctly to make your shift perform as advertised.
Since a picture (and a professional description) are worth a thousand words, here's a link with both why and what to do spelled out -- and good pictures.
The white thing a few inches down the page is a really neat diagram of the whole works out of context. Very handy:
http://www.ratwell.com/technical/091Transmission.html

When setting up, or adjusting your shift linkage, the name of the game is to keep flexability, and sloppiness at an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM.

This will assure the tightest shift pattern, and longest time between adjustments....Not to mention a more pleasurable driving experience...

Good Luck...

Leon C.

cory, thank you very much. being a newbie i have no idea. i will give info to my mechanic and see if he knows what is going on instead of replacing the whole tranny as one might expect.

Bob, there are loads of VW-savvy people here.
A while back, I discovered that I knew that I don't know a whole lot more than I do know, so I now know to go to them ... you know?
I learn something new every day.

Hey Cory - can you do me a favor? Measure the distance from the face of the transaxle (where it bolts to the engine) back to the center of the axle...

I had a "very good" authority tell me something comparing this distance to a 901 transmission that I'm now suspecting is incorrect.

I don't have any VW transaxles to take the measurements from.
thanks!
angela

You bet'cha.

7.5", total trans length about 24". Of course, that is for a swing, not IRS, but I think they should be the same.

I measured five today; got varying results, but all between 7 1/8" and 7.5" -- she appears to have won a bet. What the prize was ... is a mystery. Something about "your" people, there Danny.
I think BOTH of you got bit by radioactive Spyders.

Didn't see anything on the other site, but I am glad she was right. I'll bet a man bet her she was wrong! Go get him ANgela!

Did you mean "Go kick his butt, MANgela." ?