Trouble getting out of 1st and 2nd (sometimes)

Background info: I have a 2013 Golf R with 55k mi. I have a SPEC stage 5 clutch and never beat on the car. Current tune is APR Stage 2+.

About 5k mi ago, I noticed 1st and second gear were hard to get out of when the tranny was under load (not under throttle but when decelerating).

I suspected that the shifter cables weren't "zeroed" so I did the following:

1) popped the shifter boot, took a 5mm bit and dropped it in the alignment hole to secure it to the zeroed position.

2) Went on the tranny side, pushed the shifter mechanism down 1/2 way and pushed the locking pin.

3) Reset the spring loaded plastic fasteners that go to the shifter cables.


I've done this numerous times and even tried messing with different engagement points to see if it would help and nothing...

Anyone got any insight?

PS I've bled the clutch line twice.

87 views and nothing?

probably clutch related. Try researching for the NLS Shim Kit. It solves the problem you are having. If you need one PM me because i bought a new one but never installed when I did my new clutch.

Problem fixed. It was poor shifter linkage alignment. If anyone ever has issues with their shifts, make sure you correctly zero-in your linkage.