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General => The garage => Topic started by: dom on 23 February 2010, 19:45

Title: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: dom on 23 February 2010, 19:45
Hi guys,

I've just bought an 8v mk3 Gti and before that I had a 1.4 mk3. In my 1.4 the original gearbox went and I replaced it with a 2nd hand one which was on its way out when I got rid of it, so I guess it's a fairly common problem(?)

I was thinking of maybe buying a second hand gearbox for my Gti, stripping it down and rebuilding it (partly just for fun). My mechanical knowledge is limited, but the only way I learn is by getting stuck in and trying things for myself....and I want to learn!

Is this a really stupid idea? And how much is it likely to cost? Bearing in mind i've got space to do it, stacks of tools and a bit of spare time. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Sorry if this question has been asked a million times before! If it has if someone could point me in the direction of the answer that'd be good!

Cheers
Dom
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: danny_p on 24 February 2010, 01:47
takeing gearboxes apart is smething most people avoid,  but read up first and you'll be ok,  problem is once you lift the caseing off you release wallet eating dragons
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: rubjonny on 24 February 2010, 09:46
fair bit of info in the haynes, tho you may have to look in a mk2 or even mk1 to get it, no idea how good the mk3 haynes is as I've never read. can get a fair few spare parts from:
http://www.autogear.ltd.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=085&x=20&y=17
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: dom on 24 February 2010, 15:52
Cheers for the help, i'm gonna get a haynes and see what that says about it. Which parts are prone to going in the gearboxes? If i was to do this which does anyone know which parts should def be replaced?
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: danny_p on 24 February 2010, 20:35
bolt the diff change the syncromesh assemblys add new bareings and seals.


if the gears themselves are damaged, or the main or layshaft it's not economical to rebuild
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: dom on 24 February 2010, 20:39
I'm not sure whether to do it or not, it'll be a waste of money if I get a second hand box and open it up to find the gears themselves are shot. I'm not really in a position to waste money at the moment, but I still think it'd be a cool project for me. Hmmm.... :undecided:
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: GOLF_STU on 25 February 2010, 22:28
il let ya know soon im taking apart my 20vt gearbox apart next week to replace the diff and anything else thats damaged
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: dom on 25 February 2010, 22:53
il let ya know soon im taking apart my 20vt gearbox apart next week to replace the diff and anything else thats damaged

That'd be wicked, any hints or guidance would be appreciated!
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: GOLF_STU on 25 February 2010, 23:08
il let ya know soon im taking apart my 20vt gearbox apart next week to replace the diff and anything else thats damaged

That'd be wicked, any hints or guidance would be appreciated!

no problem il try n remember my camera :smiley:
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: leeroy86 on 28 February 2010, 20:24
i would personally recommend a gearbox speacilist to give you a quote. a recon box is better than second hand imo
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: Diamond Hell on 01 March 2010, 20:05
dragons live in gearboxes: fact.
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: GOLF_STU on 05 March 2010, 22:54
i would personally recommend a gearbox speacilist to give you a quote. a recon box is better than second hand imo

yep thats what has happened to mine had a look and there's too much that can go wrong so been dropped off to be profesionally rebuilt/refurbed it aint cheap but ya get a warranty  :wink:
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: Ironsides on 04 February 2011, 12:45
Any progress dom? Advice/problems? I'm thinking of stripping mine down myself seeing as the garage reckoned £600. Almost more than the car is worth!
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: Len on 04 February 2011, 15:51
My advice? leave well alone! You really need to know what you are doing to recon a gearbox plus need special tools/pullers etc.
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: dom on 04 February 2011, 16:04
My advice? leave well alone! You really need to know what you are doing to recon a gearbox plus need special tools/pullers etc.


+1 after a bit of research and lots of horror stories I decided that you should only play with them if you know what you're doing. Leave it to the professionals imo.
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: Wayne on 04 February 2011, 23:37
My advice? leave well alone! You really need to know what you are doing to recon a gearbox plus need special tools/pullers etc.


+1 after a bit of research and lots of horror stories I decided that you should only play with them if you know what you're doing. Leave it to the professionals imo.

Yep lot of pullers and tools required.
Title: Re: How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??
Post by: rubjonny on 07 February 2011, 14:46
http://www.brokevw.com