I just did some shifter work on my jetta last night too. I replaced the rubber shift links bushings in the palstic joints with some epoxy and a bushing. Shits solid now.
Also the rubber bushings that hold the linkage bulkhead on the trans. I removed the bushings, found that a 1/2" outside DIA tube fits perfectly, so I cut them down to about 1/2" long, and welded them in the bracket inplace of the rubber bushings. The tower will mount rock solid now on the trans. Hopefully get rid of some of the O2J shifter slop.