[Vwdiesel] grinding 5th gear

[Pam & Doug Boes]

My 1.6 NA 85 Golf suddenly decided to not go into fifth gear. It grinds 
like the teeth are touching but no engagement. I've changed out the 
relay shaft because I found it with only half of the ball left. No 
improvement. I also changed out all of the bushings except the big 
orange one that goes back by the shift lever. Again, no improvement. I 
can't see how to get the orange bushing out and new one installed 
without disconnecting all of the shift linkage? It seems like if that 
bushing was the problem, I'd have grinding in more than fifth gear.
I haven't changed out the rods with the ball socket ends and I don't 
care for the slop in the piece with a ball at the bottom and a 
connecting arm at the top. Even with the new bushings in place I can 
wobble this piece with my fingers.
What should I try next to recover fifth gear? All the rest of the gears 
seem to be working fine.