MK7 R Manual Shift 1-2...is it normal?

[Idle]

Sorry, can't elaborate on the GTI/R box specifically — never even sat in one, let alone driven it.

Have, however, dealt with the problem in other remote shifts and found it more often related to synchro's, shifter forks, detents, clutches etc. rather than the shift linkage itself.

No matter how sloppy that gets, the driver soon learns to work round it, whereas other parts can present a physical block.

[jazzyjames999]

Sorry, can't elaborate on the GTI/R box specifically — never even sat in one, let alone driven it.

Have, however, dealt with the problem in other remote shifts and found it more often related to synchro's, shifter forks, detents, clutches etc. rather than the shift linkage itself.

No matter how sloppy that gets, the driver soon learns to work round it, whereas other parts can present a physical block.

Oh ok, so do you think swapping out the rubber shifter bushings for aluminum and fitting a short shifter would help or compound the problem or even mask the source problem?

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[Idle]

Very probably none of the above. If the cause is in fact the linkage becoming misaligned due to the rubber flexing, the bushes will very likely fix it.

If it's something else (a poorly matched synchro, for instance) it may take any slack out of the linkage, but the fault will remain.

In other words, your guess is as good as mine.

[jazzyjames999]

Just an update on this thread...I spoke to James who is the Manager of two VW dealerships up in Melbourne and he was very helpful. He spoke to VW Germanys representative technician for the Victoria region and this problem Im having could be because VW have multiple gearbox manufacturers and that explains why some ppl have it and others don't. So they need to do some investigation, VW Germany are not fully aware of the problem so the more people that come forward with this issue the better as my car could become the guinea pig that might end up a recall issue for the affected gearboxes. They will be taking my car for 2 weeks in middle of January and doing tests while working with VW Germany Authorised Technician here in Melbourne.

To help I am calling on this forum and the people within to supply me with your VIN no. if you have the same problem so they can ascertain if it is infact the gearbox manufacturer. Also if you have a manual and don't have this problem could you let me know.

Admin/moderator, where else can I post this message in the forum? The more ppl that are aware of this issue the better. It might not be exclusively isolated to the Golf R.

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[AdamD]

To help I am calling on this forum and the people within to supply me with your VIN no. if you have the same problem so they can ascertain if it is infact the gearbox manufacturer. Also if you have a manual and don't have this problem could you let me know.

Admin/moderator, where else can I post this message in the forum? The more ppl that are aware of this issue the better. It might not be exclusively isolated to the Golf R.

There certainly won't be a recall unless an issue is found that affects a very substantial percentage of vehicles, that may impact on sales or can't be considered to be a characteristic of the car, that has an economically-viable fix (cheap to engineer and cheap to install). As it is, I've really not seen anything like the numbers on this or any other forum that would be required to even put this specific problem on VW's radar (and trust me, there are many issues just like this that annoy a small subset of owners significantly).

FWIW, my S3 has no issues from 1st to 2nd. Some shifts are a bit baulky at times (4th to 5th can be particularly troublesome) and require a return to neutral and a re-shift, but I've just put that down to the gearbox design being a bit average - it sure ain't anything like as good as those in Hondas I've owned in the past. Also, I'm on my second entire gearbox in my S3 (don't ask... ), and the old gearbox was absolutely the same.

[Jeremism]

Hi mate, fwiw my MY15 Golf R manual was very smooth from first to second - I had the same issue as AdamD from 4th to 5th, but that also went away after about 6 mths.

[jazzyjames999]

Hey guys the car is booked in with the VW German Engineer for Monday, he is taking it for 2 weeks! We just need at least one VIN number from a car with no problems and one other from a car with the problem like mine to confirm its an issue with the gearbox manufacturer, if you could PM me that would be brilliant. Really need the help on this one.

[liljohnny19]

Sorry to randomly pitch in.

I purchased my MK7 in Feb 15 and probably from around July noticed that 1st to 2nd is the worst, i mentioned it to dad, he advised me not to tell the dealer @ my first service - Oct, because pulling apart a gearbox is wont go back together the same and this is how you get leaks etc....

Long story short, to this day 1 year later, the issue is still there and driving me nuts! It doesnt happen when the vehicle is stopped.

The issue I have is more, notchy from 1st to 2nd and ALSO if im down gearing from 3rd to 2nd, its almost impossible to get the vehicle into gear! I thought it was just me... ill definitely be telling them next service - its driving me nuts!

[jazzyjames999]

I wouldnt wait if i was you. Well mine has got approval from VW Regional Technician to strip my gearbox apart so they are doing that now. They will replace seals so there shouldnt be any leaks but worst case scenario I will get a new gearbox and possibly clutch. VW Epping would be the one to go as they are now fully aware of the problem and are talking to Germany. Shoot me your vin no via IM and i can show them yours too has the issue. But mine is the guinea pig so whatever fix is done to mine will be done to yours. The VIN would confirm there are all the same crappy gearbox manufacturer.

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[jazzyjames999]

So get this folks...

VW rang me and they have found the issue, as expected it is the 1st to 2nd synchro.

HOWEVER, they will not cover it under warranty as they say it is caused by "SPIRITED DRIVING" as they put it!! Now the car has covered 15k, been serviced on time by VW, and I can say hand to God that it is driven the fair amount, I would say mixed i.e I don't drive it hard all the time, in fact most of the time its in comfort. But regardless of this...that is bull****, isn't the car designed for this?!!

It is obviously a gearbox manufacturer issue where some are built better than others. Now more than ever more people should come forward if they are experiencing the same issue.

I honestly don't know what to do guys, any advice? This is shocking to say the least, how can they surmise from looking at the part and make that assessment!