MK1 Golf GTi 1st gear trouble
Posted
#1595568
(In Topic #216864)
Settled In

So thought I was almost there mechanically and planning to book MOT until I was hit with another problem.
1st gear does not go in. It's a 5 speed gearbox, all gears apart from 1st work fine. Occasionally the 1st gear will work. Clutch free play is fine and within spec.
Watching an old episode of Wheeler Dealer I came to know this is a common issue with the DX Engine due to bush wear in the gear link mechanisms.
There are 2 options, either replace all the bushes (cheaper option) or purchase a complete kit, with includes bushes, links, and other components.
Can you please advise the best option and if there are any helpful guides I can use.
Cheers
Posted

Moderator



It's ample enough job to do but it will all need adjusting afterwards which is the fiddly bit.
I'd go for the whole kit and do the gearknob stuff too whilst your at it. Helps stop the feeling of stirring porridge
Ian
Posted

Settled In

Mine was out but only found out on mot day - had to do the whole thing with no access to first, second & 5th!
Posted
Settled In

Can you advise best place to purchase the kit?
Thanks
Posted

Local Hero


I am after all a cost effective SOB.
Read CHEAP.
What do Divorces, Great Coffee, and Car Electrics all have in common?
They all start with GOOD Grounds.
Where are my DIY Links?
They all start with GOOD Grounds.
Where are my DIY Links?
Posted
Settled In

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK1-CADDY-SCIROCCO-GEAR-LEVER-REPAIR-KIT-5-SPEED-A1286/192457669910?epid=1858324360&hash=item2ccf5efd16:g:GJgAAOSw5ZtahX9j
Posted

Local Hero

What do Divorces, Great Coffee, and Car Electrics all have in common?
They all start with GOOD Grounds.
Where are my DIY Links?
They all start with GOOD Grounds.
Where are my DIY Links?
Posted
Moderator



Sent from my Smartphone
Sent by a smartphone and not a smartperson!
Play Guess the Asking Price 'SEASON 4' as of Sunday the 29th of October 2017.
https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=chat%2Fmk1-golf-chat_2%2Fguess-the-asking-price_2
OLD.
https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=chat%2Fmk1-golf-chat_2%2Fold-guess-the-asking
Ever wondered who's behind the scenes of this forum?
https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/index.php?page=committee
Mike
There's me building mine 28 years ago, almost finished!
Be proud of your VW Golf Mk1, it's very special!
Play Guess the Asking Price 'SEASON 4' as of Sunday the 29th of October 2017.
https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=chat%2Fmk1-golf-chat_2%2Fguess-the-asking-price_2
OLD.
https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php?page=topicview&id=chat%2Fmk1-golf-chat_2%2Fold-guess-the-asking
Ever wondered who's behind the scenes of this forum?
https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/index.php?page=committee
Mike
There's me building mine 28 years ago, almost finished!

Be proud of your VW Golf Mk1, it's very special!
Posted

Local Hero

What do Divorces, Great Coffee, and Car Electrics all have in common?
They all start with GOOD Grounds.
Where are my DIY Links?
They all start with GOOD Grounds.
Where are my DIY Links?
Posted
Old Timer

I know this may sound stupid, but I have always had occasional difficulty getting mine into first.
I found that if I turned the steering wheel slightly as I put the gear lever into first, it engaged. Give it a try, might just work!!
Campaign Mk 1 Black
16v Mk2 Red (decsd )
16v Mk2 Red (decsd )
Posted

Newbie

check rack bushes: lock to lock with someone to help you. If you see the rack move within its bushes.( by this I mean excessive) can affect the selection of gears. Past experience from running 16" rims. Renew bushes and nuts too.
Or most likely the splined selector requires an adjustment. Again with help from under the car (safety first so use axle stands etc where necessary)loosen the selector clamp a fraction to allow selector to move, (do not move gearstick back and forth only side to side)in the car hold the gearstick 10 mm approx to the right off reverse gate.This then should be held in this position and the person underneath should tighten the clamp.
You should now have 1-5 and all gates should feel slip and slide.
I have done this many a time no problems.
Posted
Settled In

MK1 Golf GTi 1st gear trouble
I purchased a complete bush kit + gear stick bearing from eBay. Seemed to fix the issue.
Thanks for everyone's input. Much appreciated.
Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD using Tapatalk
Posted

Local Hero

What do Divorces, Great Coffee, and Car Electrics all have in common?
They all start with GOOD Grounds.
Where are my DIY Links?
They all start with GOOD Grounds.
Where are my DIY Links?
Posted
Settled In

I appreciate some assistance please.
I still have 1st gear issue.
I noticed that when the front wheels are facing straight, I have no issues selecting the 1st gear and all the other gears.
However, when I full lock the steering to the right, I cannot select 1st or 2nd gears. Only gears available are 3rd / 4th / 5th.
When I full lock the steering to left, when I select 1st, it goes into reverse. I notice the restrictive plate does not stop the reverse gear to be selected. Basically I don't need to push down the gear stick to select the reverse gear as I usually would do.
Could this be due to worn engine mounts which is altering the gear stick alignment when the steering is being turned?
Also I noticed when driving, when I turn the steering left or right to take a left or right turn, when driving straight, after the turn, the steering offsets from normal centre.
Appreciate your help in establishing the issue I am having.
Thanks
Posted

Newbie

Also what rims are you currently running..?
My concern would be to be examine the whole steering mechanism.
Checking through in a reverse engineered manner.
Tie rod to hub. Tie rod to rack. Rack to bulkhead mounts. Rack to uj. Uj to steering column. Steering column to steering wheel. Thus to elimate any play.
Could check bearings while youve got the front up .
Further that the ball is known to wear( situated at the base of the gearstick). Though most likely rack mount bushes either worn or insecure.
Hope this helps..
Posted
Settled In

Thanks for the info.
The car is fitted with standard Pirelli P Slots (14").
No modifications to the car, everything is box standard.
Posted
Local Hero

Check for play in the mounting on the rack or old cracked/worn rubber bushes.
Check in this link that they are for the left and right bush as they do differ.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-MK1-JETTA-CADDY-SCIROCCO-TOP-QUALITY-STEERING-RACK-MOUNTS-X2-171419883-4/170985919981?epid=1807714652&hash=item27cf8e15ed:g:XSsAAOSwFL9TvTYL:rk:1:pf:0
Or poly bush, I went for these but you do notice a slight increase in road noise inside the car…
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-MK1-1973-1985-Powerflex-Steering-Rack-Mount-Bushes-PFF85-229-230/370697042374?epid=1225297073&hash=item564f43f9c6:g:1eEAAOSwACZZuTPC:rk:5:pf:0
Not uncommon for the mountings on the bulk head to crack or split so if possible I try to avoid turning the steering while stationary.
1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
Posted
Settled In

Never removed the steering rack since I have owned the car.
Will take to my mechanic to put on ramp to check play etc and advise outcome.
Thanks
Last edit: by BRINZ
Posted
Local Hero

I've read that the U brackets holding the bush and rack are slightly different so make sure you put them back in the same place… (I did not see much difference when I changed my steering rack???)
1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
Posted
Settled In

Should I go for standard bushes or poly bushes?
Any recommendations much appreciated.
0 guests and 0 members have just viewed this: None.