Just finished fixing the sticking gearbox problem using method described by Alanuk. I have a 1999 110 tdi gal and did'nt need to remove the battery tray just all the plastic bits to the left of it and the expansion bottle. Took an age to loosen up and for a while I thought it was'nt going to happen but after a lot of WD40 soaks and working the selector arm up and down and the gear lever about it freed up. Now test driven and seems fine. Thanks to all on this site for their advise on this.