Its really hard to get into reverse and somewhat hard to get into 1st and 2nd on my 6 speed I just bought. My 01 Jetta is silky smooth though. So do I just need to change fluid or maybe linkage or bushings or something? I would like to not have to do a full trans rebuild a few days after I bought the car.
Since the 02 and 03 use the 01E its pretty likely you have worn out synchro’s because that is very common on that model of transmisson. Advanced Automotion sells the cheapest rebuild kits, JHM has them as well but its about 200$ more.
I HIGHLY, reccomend replacing your clutch and flywheel when you drop the transmisson because if you don’t, your just going to be right back in there again paying labor twice. Ask me how I know. But on the bright side of things, when you rebuild the transmisson and install a new clutch you can upgrade, JHM sells a bad ass performance clutch with a light weight flywheel which will give your car much faster response off the line and all through your power band and the clutch will have more gripping power for all your future mods, IMO the light weight flywheel is one of the best mods you can do for the 3.0, and just FYI rebuild kits from advanced are about 1100$ and JHM clutch I think is around 9XX something.