Limited slip diff on 7G box?

On my 1.6 GTI (bought new in December 1976, laid up for the last few years in need of restauration) I am considering to change the standard  4-speed gearbox against a 5-speed 7G box taken years ago from a 1.8 GTI at the breakers. It now struck me that on the 7G I cannot turn the driveshaft flanges independently, in contrast to the 4-speed.
<b>Has the 7G box a limited-slip diff?</b> Or is mine just broken? (Which of course it may be anyway …)
On a more general note, I first ran into your website and forum today when googling for my little problem, and I'm really impressed: Professional design, reasonable & friendly rules, serious postings and replies – I'll be back frequently, I'm sure.
Thanks and greetings from Germany!

hi and welcome to the site i hope you enjoy i as much as i do  

None of the 020 boxes came as standard with LSD, apart from a few motorsport ones probably. What's probably happened is the gearbox has stood for a while, so its oil (well, the oil in the diff) has gone really 'sludgy' and makes it difficult to turn. Use a bit more force, you should be able to unstick it. Its always possible its damaged or something, though.

Another thing you could try is putting it in 1st or reverse, then if you turn one flange, the other should turn in the opposite direction.

paul_c said

'sludgy'

Dick.

Wilkommen in den Forum .  2005 war ich in dein sch?ne Stadt f?r den Weltjugendstag.  Entschuldigung f?r das Chaos, lol

Haben Sie ein Foto von dein GTI?

Dom

1stgolf:
Thanks for your welcome!

Paul:
Thanks for your help: Turning the driveshaft flanges just a little harder against each other made them shift OK. So eventually I may be taking chances and just install the box, change oil and try; I can still take it to a reconditioner if need be.
Btw, I read in the German manual "Jetzt helfe ich mir selbst" that on early 4-speed cars the left inner wing has to be indented a little to prevent the 1" longer 7G box from fouling it – can you confirm? (I guess I'll just have to trial fit.)

Dom:
Yes, the Weltjugendtag in 2005 was a memorable event for Cologne and everybody who attended – amazing to see so many friendly people all about town and onsite!
I now put in (sort of) a photo of my car as avatar; the wheelarches and sills have since been replaced, but a new front panel is still waiting.

It really was amazing.

Good luck with the work on your car - it looks pretty from the v small picture!