Selecting reverse gear

So now by mk2 box is back in it appears im unable to select reverse it feels like its going in as i can select 2nd,4th and i think what is reverse however the reverse dont come on.

I took the reverse light switch out of the box and tested it to see if it was working by pushing the plunger down and on doing this the reverse lights came on so it appears im not engaging reverse gear

The linkeage feels very loose in the car but all the nuts are tight on the rods ect

when i push the gear stick hard to the right to select reverse the bottom of the gear stick catches the cradle, it shouldnt be doing this right ie that far over?
too far over?

how it should be but still not going into reverse


any ideas? i can select 1st gear ect though

Think you need to check and proberly adjust the shorter gear linkage rod,if its stock i think the shorter one is the only one thats adjustable anyhow.

Also check the nut is tight on that linkage bit that bolts onto the box by the 3 allen key bolts,not sure of its name but the bit that bolts onto the end of the short linkage rod then there is a shaft with an arm on the other end working the gearbox and a nut on the end.
If the nut is loose the arm can slop about a small amount on the shaft and make the gear lever feel loose.