What does the rod that sticks out of my tranny do?

Question

there is a rod with a spring on the end of it and i pulled it out but i put it back in before i put the tranny back in. So after i got the tranny back in the car, it will not go into reverse.

My car is a 1987 volkswaygon golf 5 speed

Answer 1

I believe that your talking about the clutch fork that's coming out of the side of your tranny , and it has a adjustment rod going to it It work like this , when you push in on the clutch ,that rod pushes againest  the clutch fork and slides the throw out bearing againest the preesure plate so that the clutch can release itself so you can shift gears.and stop the car from moving, you should be able to adjust that rod to help you get the shifter to work  

Answer 2

it adjusts where your gears are set inside the tranny. you have it set on the wrong gear. even if you went forward you most likely wont get to your 5th gear. automatic right?