New Mounts & Shift kit

**cab93** · 14-03-2008, 12:55 PM

I've had a lot of trouble with my '93 MK1 Cabriolet gear shift, with a huge reluctance to select first gear, it preferring reverse or third. Often I would just start off in second.

I ordered a 5 speed shift kit from the US $16.50, which arrived in three weeks and asked Volksrepair in Airport west (Melbourne) to fit this and renew three of the four engine mounts. The engine mount on the cam-belt side was replaced when this (cam-belt) was renewed last year.

What a difference!!

First is now selected with a light click, with the change from second to third amazing with it being sprung to enter third with the lightest movement of the gear lever! Even reverse is great - just move the lever full left and it moves ups and into gear with out fuss.

The engine mounts were still in good usable condition, but I had these changed as well. It has firmed the engine up and was well worth doing. very pleased.

Parts, $150.00
labour, $330.00
GST, $48.00
= $528.00

Wish I had done this earlier

Michael

**cab93** · 30-03-2008, 08:20 PM

After 200 klms the engine mount on the gearbox side is F@@ked....
Driving to work along the Tulla Freeway a couple of days ago I felt bad vibrations, which made the dash rattle. At first I thought it may have been a wheel balance weight that may have fallen off. drove it home and left it in the garage. I checked under the bonnet today and noticed the mount is hard up against the right side of the chassis bracket with rubber pushed out the left side. it's also dropped down so the top of the mount is resting on the bolt, not centered as at should be. Why would this fail so soon?

I will speak to the garage that did the work tomorrow and get their ideas. At least the gear shift is better that ever.

Michael

**Preen59** · 30-03-2008, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by cab93

After 200 klms the engine mount on the gearbox side is F@@ked....
Driving to work along the Tulla Freeway a couple of days ago I felt bad vibrations, which made the dash rattle. At first I thought it may have been a wheel balance weight that may have fallen off. drove it home and left it in the garage. I checked under the bonnet today and noticed the mount is hard up against the right side of the chassis bracket with rubber pushed out the left side. it's also dropped down so the top of the mount is resting on the bolt, not centered as at should be. Why would this fail so soon?

I will speak to the garage that did the work tomorrow and get their ideas. At least the gear shift is better that ever.

Michael

I can't see why that would happen unless the guy that put it in damaged it. The gearbox mount doesn't do a lot of work anyway. The engine mount on the drivers side should have let go first..

**Oneofthegreats** · 30-03-2008, 09:34 PM

I've been down this road before & along with several other problem's.

Sound's like you had non-genuine engine/gearbox mount's fitted.
If so, they are crap & soften up with just a trip around the block & it's exactly just like non-genuine gear selector bushes with do the same.

I quick trip around the block & the bushes melt.

I once fitted a set of engine/gearbox mount's from a highly regarded part's supplier which claimed to be genuine spec.
On the first drive down the highway (less than 10 min's!), I got a crazy vibration which turned out to be the engine & gearbox mount's bottomed out.

I replaced all the mount's with genuine VW & returned the f#$ked part's back to the supplier, who said that I stuffed them when I fitted, in which I replied, do you want to challenge me over this & he gave me my money back.

My advice is to use genuine VW engine/gearbox mount's & you won't have a problem. They don't cost the earth.

**cab93** · 30-03-2008, 09:37 PM

Interesting that you mention the drivers side mount, The top half of the cam-belt cover was loose and was rubbing on the alternator belt...I might check this side as well. Now I need a new cover as it got a hole in it!!

Michael

**cab93** · 30-03-2008, 10:25 PM

Oh no, I think your right! I remember reading cheap mounts don't last long. But 200klms that's $hit. I do like to purchase genuine parts even the $130.00 Bosch fuel filter with the VW Audi logo. This time I just wanted the job done. The shift linkages had the VW Audi logo maybe this is why they work. I didn't ask for genuine parts on the mounts - I just thought quality parts would be used. This is why I like to do most of the work on the car myself.

Now I guess as only one mount has failed they will only replace this. I have a feeling this is just going to cost me time and more money!!

ahhhh

**ValveBounce** · 01-04-2008, 04:40 PM

bad luck dude.
I hope you have luck gettin it fixed and sending the crap parts back.

**cab93** · 03-04-2008, 05:44 PM

Just an update on that engine mount, Left the cabby at Volksrepair Tuesday.
They agreed that it didn't look right and replaced it with a new one today. No charge of course. Just wondering is it possible to install the gearbox mount upside down?? I won't have time to give it a descent run for three or four days. Will let you know how it goes.

Michael

**WABIT** · 03-04-2008, 05:51 PM

they may have over tightened it, although i am unsure about upside down issues

wabit

**Preen59** · 03-04-2008, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by cab93

Just an update on that engine mount, Left the cabby at Volksrepair Tuesday.
They agreed that it didn't look right and replaced it with a new one today. No charge of course. Just wondering is it possible to install the gearbox mount upside down?? I won't have time to give it a descent run for three or four days. Will let you know how it goes.

Michael

It's pressed in and all you have to do it press it in upside down. Very easy to do. I did it on the driver side once by accident when i changed mine.