reverse gear keeps poping out.

[Grey_Smoke]

So after hooking up the transmission linkage None of the gears were lined up with the shifter, so I used the cassette tape trick and lined everything up.  Now all of the gears engage and disengage smoothly.  The only problem is that the transmission keeps coming out of reverse.  reverse will engage and turn the tires, it will even move the car so long as it is on flat ground and the clutch is kept over half way in.  But as soon as the clutch is let out more than half the reverse gear disengages. 
I though that maybe the shifter was hitting it's stop before reverse was fully engaged, so I readjusted it, but that didn't change anything.  any help would be appreciated. 

thanks.

[R.O.R-2.0]

So after hooking up the transmission linkage None of the gears were lined up with the shifter, so I used the cassette tape trick and lined everything up.  Now all of the gears engage and disengage smoothly.  The only problem is that the transmission keeps coming out of reverse.  reverse will engage and turn the tires, it will even move the car so long as it is on flat ground and the clutch is kept over half way in.  But as soon as the clutch is let out more than half the reverse gear disengages. 
I though that maybe the shifter was hitting it's stop before reverse was fully engaged, so I readjusted it, but that didn't change anything.  any help would be appreciated. 

thanks.

every car ive experienced that with, had a worn reverse idler gear.. the gear is worn enough that it pops out of gear.. my GTI used to do that, the first trans i had in there it did it really bad..

CASSETTE TAPE TRICK?!?! i must learn that one.. mind elaborating a bit?

[Grey_Smoke]

the cassette tape trick http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?2796898

it couldn't just be the shift linkage, could it?
I really don't want to pull the engine and change the transmission, everything worked on the donor car.   

[theman53]

It could, but stock linkage is pretty much one way. I have missing linkz kit and it would do that when I didn't have the arm adjusted long enough or the other part on the splines just so.

[Grey_Smoke]

ok thanks, what missing linkz kit/parts do I need, I was looking at their site earlier today and I have no idea where to start.  any suggestions for what is needed, and or suggested?

[CRSMP5]

disconnect linkage at tranny.. put into rev on tranny.. does it work or pop out... if pop out tranny got issue..

[theman53]

IMO if you go missing linkz go full retard and get the whole kit.

[R.O.R-2.0]

disconnect linkage at tranny.. put into rev on tranny.. does it work or pop out... if pop out tranny got issue..

thats the definitive way to test it.. if the linkage aint hooked up and it pops out, theres problems.

[Grey_Smoke]

so I unhooked the shift linkage and the same thing happened just with out any noise.  does that mean that the reverse gear is shot?

[theman53]

I would guess so if it was fully in reverse and still did it.

[CRSMP5]

no linkage eliminates all that.. so yes if it popped out with no linkage.. the gear is damaged.. sorry.. not what you wanna hear..

and parts avaliable at stealership grab your ankles.. after eating lots of fiber.. and hoping to get a kiss afterwards.. like 150 for the small one and the big piece is over 200...

i myself would find a old 4 speed to get the rev gear parts from.. they never seem to wear out.. and most throw them out as they want 5 speeds so value is non existant.. but rev gears same..

[Grey_Smoke]

well we have a grand total of four other mk2 transmissions around here so come spring and school letting out for the summer, we will either swap a hole trans or parts from one of them. so after I find out what transmission they are, I will be on here asking which one is the best. 

[theman53]

Brokevw.com in Columbus Ohio rebuilds these trannies. If he has a junk trans he will not mix and match gears to make them work, as he is picky and will only build matched sets. He keeps most all his junk for instances like this were people only need some pieces and don't care if there is a slight gear whine or other things. I know he sold a guy a first gear out of his scrap pile for 10.00 plus shipping, so you maybe close to that.