As a wearing part, the gear cross is softer than the edge-hardened gearwheels and should be replaced after about 12,000-25,000 km, depending on engine performance and driving style. Wear and tear of the gear shifting paddle is often noticeable in jumping gears, i.e. under load the frictional connection is briefly interrupted, only to pack up again shortly afterwards. A new shifting paddle is the remedy here. If you drive longer with a worn-out shifting paddle, the gearwheels and the shifting pawl will wear out quickly. Here sloppiness becomes expensive noticeable.