Gear box/Clutch problems

Hi there,

I was driving home the other night when I noticed I was having problems getting the car into gear and had to force it into 1st and 2nd. Later on it got worse and it wouldn't go into any gear.

So I pulled over and had to put it into 1st when the engine was off. It would go up in gears fine but wouln't go down in gears. So I had to keep switching the engine off.

I looked at a few of the other topics and they all say the same things about linkage and cables. My garage is saying it could be 40% the clutch or 60% the gearbox.  :dontknow:

He said as they drove it this afternoon, the gears got worse and they couldn't go up a gear.  But I'm not sure about the clutch thing as I've had the clutch go twice now and have never been able to get it into gear! If it was the clutch, why would it go in 1st gear? I know I'm not a merchanic but I like to understand these things.   Oh I couldn't get into reverse without crunching it even when I did it nice and gently!

They are going to take the gear box off 1st and then let me know.
Anyone have an suggestions in handling this?  

It's sunny and I'm missing out as it's a 86 GTI cab!  8)

Sounds like the clutch has failed keep us posted

same probz i had before....clutch is gone!

Hey there,

Got my baby back today and it was the gear selector!  
He couldn't get another gearbox so took it to a guy who repairs them and they found the gear selector was damaged or displaced, one of the two! It was I think cheaper this way too!

He did say the clutch was worn but not too badly and advised to get that changed at the same time. So that has been done too!

The sun was out and I had a fine time driving her.

So until the nxt time!!!!!  8)

Thanks for replying
x

Hiya folks, adding on to this post, i'm having similar problems with my car. Now in the road with a Mk2 16v and a Mk1 gearbox, i'm having big problems. The car was fine driving for 3 weeks, then i found when stationary, it was very difficult to get into gears, and got worse so i couldn't change when moving. ( could do a normal 'clutch;ess' change ok tho, so bx is fine)

I have check the obvious, linkage, clutch cable etc…

I have worked out that simply, the pushrod appears not to be pushing the cluth plate far enough to fully disengage the box from the engine. I took the box off, nothing was amiss, clutch is new, plate is fine, no warping or anything. put it back together, was all fine.

For 5 days, then the same again!!!

It seems that the pushrod is not long enough, but why did it work fine for 3 days, then start going, then 5 days…????

Anyone any idea?>

The clutch cable was as tight as it could be., and was definetely lifting the arm the full way up. The cluth is aligned properly.

Is the fact its a Mk1 box and 16v matter? If it did, why has the car been fine?

Any ideas would be most gratefully recieved!

No idea, but I was wondering if you are using a standard clutch with your 16valver. What power is you engine producing?

Only reason I ask is that I have a 1870 pushing out 160bhp at the flywheelm and I smoked it today    so was thinking about an AP racing clutch.

I think I managed to smoke my standard one as the gear selector was selecting 3rd when it should have been 1st (basically I was pulling off in 3rd……)