1st Gear grind

[balkanac]

Why would you need 1st gear when engine braking? you have to go really slowly and slip the clutch a lot. Almost no point. I found that sometimes even 2nd is not really worth it in my car (short gears). If i need 1st just before i stopped i double clutch it and it accepts the gear and goes hard! I double clutch every time i need a lower gear to accelerate. It saves the g'box and the clutch

[Spyda]

Why would you need 1st gear when engine braking? you have to go really slowly and slip the clutch a lot. Almost no point. I found that sometimes even 2nd is not really worth it in my car (short gears). If i need 1st just before i stopped i double clutch it and it accepts the gear and goes hard! I double clutch every time i need a lower gear to accelerate. It saves the g'box and the clutch

You dont drive a mk2. Its 77kw if that not 170

I wasnt engine braking, just put it in first with the clutch in. Geting ready to take off before i stoped if that makes scence.

So the syncro cant be fixed?

[velly_16v_cab]

not really cos the car is sitting waiting with the clutch in hence wearing the clutch!

yes it can be fixed, but the box will need to be stripped. and if you kep driving like that you will need it done again

[Spyda]

not really cos the car is sitting waiting with the clutch in hence wearing the clutch!

yes it can be fixed, but the box will need to be stripped. and if you kep driving like that you will need it done again

I wont be driving like that anymore. I simply didnt know, no one ever told me, i only ever drove manual with the instructor and my uncle.

What do you rekon it will cost, ive found the syncro for 1st for about $15, but how much for a pro to put it in?

[Golf Loon]

Dont put the car in 1st unless you are stationary. EVER.
Its common with golfs to have to go from 2nd to first.

It`ll cost heaps to have the box pulled apart, just be gentle and it`ll be ok.

I reckon its a linkage problem. Too much freeplay in there somewhere, get someone knowledgeable to have a look.

[Spyda]

Dont put the car in 1st unless you are stationary. EVER.
Its common with golfs to have to go from 2nd to first.

It`ll cost heaps to have the box pulled apart, just be gentle and it`ll be ok.

I reckon its a linkage problem. Too much freeplay in there somewhere, get someone knowledgeable to have a look.

Cheers mate, ill take it to Volkworke when i have time.

Do you think a new linkage is in order?

Is it ok to shift down from other gears though? eg. 3rd to 2nd, 4th to 3rd.

[Golf Loon]

I drive Golfs by keeping the revs up and using the gears to slow down.
Except first gear. It is a delicate thing like reverse. My Driving instructior told me that it is only for moving the car from a stand still.

There are a few linkages and bushes that can be the culprit.
Look down behind the exhaust on the subframe where there is a little metal box with a ball or a white plastic flower thing in the middle of it.
If you have the plastic showing and no ball, you can slip a piece of hose the right size over it to replicate the ball to get the slop out. Or you can buy the rod with the ball on from VW for $120 or something like that.

[twin eng, twin turbs]

I wont be driving like that anymore. I simply didnt know, no one ever told me, i only ever drove manual with the instructor and my uncle.

What do you rekon it will cost, ive found the syncro for 1st for about $15, but how much for a pro to put it in?

I have pulled down three five speeds over the years and replaced 1st and 2nd gears, the syncromesh, bearings and seals in one box and the other two boxes were too screwed to use again. Its a hard job and a bit to get your head around but if your up to it took me around 8hrs. A gearbox specialist would charge at least $500 + to do it probably a lot more, so its maybe worth while getting a good second hand one for the right money instead if its not the linkage worn out causing the issue...

[Spyda]

In the 4th pic there is the relay shaft with a ball on it.
Check your one looks like that and is not missing the rubber ball part.
The rest of the linkage kit is mostly fine tuning. The ball and correct adjustment should be sufficient mostly.

I got my alignment tool today, slaped it on and aligned the shifter. While i was doing this i noticed the "big red bush" that holds the gear shaft is practicly dust and alows for alot of movement of the shaft, it was prity dark so i didnt notice the larger ruber ball much (relay shaft bush?). Due to the play in the shaft, even with the alignment tool, it still wasnt aligned properly and when i put it in revers and got the car out of the drive way, i went for first and everything was loose like i didnt tigheten the clamp. then i noticed a ball rolling away down my court.......

The relay shaft bush is mashed and due to the incorect alignment it comes out of its holster and falls off.

I aligned it again makeing sure that it wouldnt fall out again and everything is good, still hard to get it in to reverce and 1st but everything is where it should be.

I took a look at all the bushes and found that they are all farked, so i guess most of the problems with shifting are due to that. Ill get one of thouse repair kits and see what happens.

I have pulled down three five speeds over the years and replaced 1st and 2nd gears, the syncromesh, bearings and seals in one box and the other two boxes were too screwed to use again. Its a hard job and a bit to get your head around but if your up to it took me around 8hrs. A gearbox specialist would charge at least $500 + to do it probably a lot more, so its maybe worth while getting a good second hand one for the right money instead if its not the linkage worn out causing the issue...

HAHA thats around about what this box cost me. I doubt its the box as it came from Matt. My stupid shifting f-ed up first gear and my mechanic most likely did the rest.

[golfmeup]

i never down shift from second to first mate!

1st gear is crawling speed and changing from a higher gear to 1st will only hurt the engine.

unless your close to stopping speed, you should be able to roll in 2nd gear and pull away smoothly with out a problem.
Second gear is very forgiving and wont hurt your box.