Replacement gearbox required for GTi

[GRP]

The 2007 Polo GTi gearbox has decided to give grief having done less than 50K. Save for a noise in first gear the gearbox is running fine. Noise in first gear diagnosed as input shaft/first gear issue. Cost of rebuild even assuming only input shaft, bearings, seals and labour easily runs over $2K (Audvolks quote) and then there is the question of what else is found once the box is apart.

Whilst the 2007 Polo GTi is in great nick and under 50K klms, the repair costs looms as a good chunk of the ready sale value. Ultimately the repair costs will rest with my son the uni student which means I will fund it.

Anyone else been down this path?

Anyone have a gearbox or parts?

Do I import a gearbox from the UK or other?

Any and all input appreciated.

Grant

[hardy_bm]

Good time to drop in the Quaife LSD.
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[seangti]

Have you seen a few specialists to diagnose the gearbox? The Polo gearboxes aren't typically a point of failure, I've heard of very few in my ~6yrs on the forum, and typically on cars that have been abused or overpowered. But hey, it'll happen.

Can I assume you've dropped the gearbox oil and replaced it a few times to flush it out and see if that helps?

Importing a box would be rank expensive and our exchange is awful at the moment. A local fix is probably the best bet and most cost effective. I have a felling the mkIV golf GTI gearbox also fits, there may be others. I'm sure a few others on the forum could provide a small list of other cars with interchangeable boxes.

[h100vw]

Golf gti box shares lots of parts but isn't a direct swap. There's a fella up here with a polo he is doing a conversion into a Mk2 golf.
I'll be honest I never heard of a bad input bearing/ shaft on a polo. Not saying it couldn't be.
The release bearings can make awful noises, mine does. I'd definitely be dropping the oil and having a look, change it for synthetic. That clears up lots of syncro related Probs.
If you did swap the box. I'd be interested in the bad one.

[GRP]

I looked at LSD prices whilst I was browsing UK sites

Have not flushed the fuid. I noted early Polo posts about crunchy gears and fluid change fix. The gearbox was silent up until recent times. It now makes a mechanical/chattery/whining noice which is (a) only in first gear and (b) seemingly disappears by around 2500 rpm (or the engine and tyre noises are louder). All gear changes are smooth and clean.

[h100vw]

I looked at LSD prices whilst I was browsing UK sites

Have not flushed the fuid. I noted early Polo posts about crunchy gears and fluid change fix. The gearbox was silent up until recent times. It now makes a mechanical/chattery/whining noice which is (a) only in first gear and (b) seemingly disappears by around 2500 rpm (or the engine and tyre noises are louder). All gear changes are smooth and clean.

Mine whines like a straight cut Mini in 4th. If yours is std power I can tell you the gearbox can handle an extra 100hp with no problems. There's a few on here doing this.

I vote you change the oil for something synthetic and drive it a while.

Don't be pulling that gearbox out just yet.

You'd also be nuts to not change the clutch at the same time, adding to the already mad cost you are looking at.

If you replace the box my interest in the old one remains Cos I have an A3 box I fancy robbing some gears out of.

Gavin

[GRP]

Currently APR tune and front mount intercooler waiting for install.

Couple of votes for oil change. Certainly nothiong to lose and a flush and refill with synthetic is cost effective. Any recommendations on synthetic fill for the gearbox?

[The One]

Do synthetic oil and maybe a diff treatment? Nulon G70 works a treat I've found.

[h100vw]

Currently APR tune and front mount intercooler waiting for install.

Couple of votes for oil change. Certainly nothiong to lose and a flush and refill with synthetic is cost effective. Any recommendations on synthetic fill for the gearbox?

Blatant spruiking but I can save you some money on a tune. I have done lots of Polo's with Phase 1, 2 and 3. For std, cars with downpipes and also turbo changes.

Gavin

[GRP]

Gavin, no spruiking required. The APR tune (bought on special) was a practical thing as I shared the Polo with my son for 12 months whilst looking for a new ride (now in C63 with a tune ). APR offered easy switching between full tune for me and stock for the P plater. You were the first thought for post front mount and down pipe tune. Blatant plug - need cheap down pipe.