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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Munson on 01 February 2011, 11:18

Title: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: Munson on 01 February 2011, 11:18
Hi all, I'm new on here, thought I would join after having a bit of a nightmare with my mk3 gti 8v (anniversary). I bought the car from a guy I knew who hardly used it, he had owned it for almost 2 years and only covered 4000 miles. Prior to that the car was owned by a mate who moved abroad and the car sat for over 2 years and was only started ocassionally when he was home. The car has only done 65000 miles. I knew when I bought the car it might need a few things done to it because it had been sitting for a while.

One of the first things I noticed was that the clutch was very sticky and had a high bite point so knew it would probably need to be replaced fairly soon. I also noticed that when sitting idle in traffic, there was a knocking noise that would disappear when the clutch was fully pressed. The car seemed to run fine but one day after starting the car for the first time in the day, the noise was much worse and was now happening when driving rather than sitting idle. The noise was so bad that I didn't drive it for fear of breaking down. At this point I took the car to a local garage. They diagnosed that the gearbox was shot and that I might as well change the clutch at the same time. So I went ahead and ordered a reconditioned gearbox from a reputable company that specialise in VW parts and had it fitted along with a new clutch.

When the garage took the car for stray drive, the same problem was there. After many discussions with the garage and the gearbox supplier, it was decided to also change the thrust bearing, no change. So now the gearbox was removed and sent back to the supplier where it wad inspected but nothing abnormal found. They are going to replace all bearings as a matter of caution then return the gearbox to the garage.

I have read thru some older threads of similar problems and the advice is generally to get a reconditioned gearbox. Since I have replaced this and the clutch, is there anything else that could be causing the problem?

I appreciate any help!

Cheers!
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: Wayne on 01 February 2011, 11:54
Sounds more like the thrust bearings have dropped out / worn of the crankshaft.
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: harlemex on 01 February 2011, 13:45
input shaft bearing.
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 01 February 2011, 20:06
seems odd on a Golf with such low use / mileage.
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: Munson on 02 February 2011, 10:00
Thanks for the replies guys.

Wayne, what would be the cure if this was the cause of the problem? As I mentioned below the thrust bearing was changed but made no difference.

Harlemex, I mentioned this to the garage and gearbox supplier having read some old threads on here. The gearbox supplier assurese these have been replaced as part of the recon. I take it these are internal on the gearbox?

Thai-wronghorse, i agree, especially since the car was fitted with a reconditioned gearbox around 40000 miles.

I found it very strange that the same problem occurred after fitting the recon gearbox and new clutch. My immediate thought was that the garage had diagnosed wrongly and I'd spent a fortune for nothing. I have now paid more for repairs than I did for the car and suspect the problem will still be there when the gearbox goes back in.

If there is anything else you can think of, let me know. Might be easier for the garage to have a look while the gearbox is out.

Expecting the gearbox back from supplier tomorrow.

Cheers again guys.
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: Wayne on 02 February 2011, 11:17
If you have a noise that goes when the clutch is pressed it has to be gearbox or clutch but maybe you have a engine bearing problem.
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 02 February 2011, 13:13
What about the pilot bearing on the end of the crankshaft?
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: harlemex on 02 February 2011, 13:23
+1 on that. I reckon that could be nail on head as I had an issue with said bearing a while back.
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: rubjonny on 02 February 2011, 13:44
there isnt one on a MK3 GTI, if you mean the one on the end of the crank that the box/input shaft fits into which you see on some audis/automatics?

might be the flywheel wasn't fitted properly, or the wrong clutch was fitted. the flywheel changed at some point, and there is a different clutch kit to match it. if you look at the flywheel, if it has 2 dowel rods its the early style which uses the same clutch as the MK2 Golf 16v. if it has 1 dowel rod its the later style so you need the late type MK3 GTI clutch kit.

maybe get the flywheel checked for flatness, if in doubt put another one on. if it was me I would buy a MK2 GTI flywheel and then you know you can use a MK2 16v clutch kit. usually these are cheaper than the later style MK3 GTI clutch kits :)
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: harlemex on 02 February 2011, 13:55
I think I might have lost me bearings  :laugh: I am getting abit confused with all the bearings now. I dont know the name of this part that was wrong with mine, but rubjonny should know. I am talking of the first part in the clutch the input shaft actually goes into (if you see what I mean!). It has some movement and I presume its on some kind of bearing. Anyhow mine was the culprit as it was all rough and noisy. Maybe you could clarify the above confused mess Rubjonny!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: rubjonny on 02 February 2011, 14:03
i would call that the input shaft bearing :)

this would be my thought too but since its happened on 2 gearboxes I'm not so sure! possible the rebuilt box wasnt done properly so it had the same issue...
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 02 February 2011, 18:17
So isn't there a bearing on the end of the crankshaft(flywheel end)?
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 02 February 2011, 18:24
Pilot bearing is no.19 in the picture i believe, no part number listed though.

http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/vw/GO/1996/166/49/1959196/#19

Anyway i'm sure Jon will correct me if my information is wrong   :smiley:
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: Munson on 02 February 2011, 18:45
Thanks again for your replies guys. Will speak to garage n see if they can check any of the suggestions. Will let u know the outcome, hopefully be back on the road soon!!!
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: Munson on 07 February 2011, 19:15
Well gearbox went back in today and car is running sweet and all abnormal noises have disappeared! Happy days! The garage didn't do anything other than fit the gearbox so can only assume there was something wrong with the first reconditioned gearbox I received. Will be having words with the supplier as I've spent a fortune on additional labour and transport, suspect I'll be p*ssing in the wind with regards to being compensated but will see what happens, just glad to be back on the road again after 6 weeks of misery! Thanks again to everyone, happy motoring!
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: rubjonny on 08 February 2011, 10:07
Thats good news that its fixed, but not so that you got ripped off :(
sopunds liek the input shaft bearing wasnt replaced, or they didn't set the shaft bearing preloads inside the box properly  :angry:

Pilot bearing is no.19 in the picture i believe, no part number listed though.

http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/vw/GO/1996/166/49/1959196/#19

Anyway i'm sure Jon will correct me if my information is wrong   :smiley:

No there isnt a pilot bearing on a 020 setup, the input shaft only reaches the clutch friction disc. its cos the 020 clutch is all arse about face, release bearing is in the back of the gearbox, and the pressure plate is bolted to the engine first, then the release plate, then friction disc and finally the flywheel.
there isnt any access thru the middle of the clutch to the crank either, the pressure plate and release plate cover it all up :)
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 08 February 2011, 12:58
Thats good news that its fixed, but not so that you got ripped off :(
sopunds liek the input shaft bearing wasnt replaced, or they didn't set the shaft bearing preloads inside the box properly  :angry:

Pilot bearing is no.19 in the picture i believe, no part number listed though.

http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/vw/GO/1996/166/49/1959196/#19

Anyway i'm sure Jon will correct me if my information is wrong   :smiley:

No there isnt a pilot bearing on a 020 setup, the input shaft only reaches the clutch friction disc. its cos the 020 clutch is all arse about face, release bearing is in the back of the gearbox, and the pressure plate is bolted to the engine first, then the release plate, then friction disc and finally the flywheel.
there isnt any access thru the middle of the clutch to the crank either, the pressure plate and release plate cover it all up :)

I should actually know all of that.
I've done both types of clutch, so know exactly how they work  :grin:
Problem is, its been too long  :tongue:
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: rubjonny on 08 February 2011, 14:44
its age catching up with you :P
will be happening to me soon as I've just turned 30. I wont be able to resist the pull of the garden centre and cardigans with patches on the elbows forever!
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: AudiA8Quattro on 08 February 2011, 17:28
I've just moved onto more complicated cars  :sick:
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 08 February 2011, 19:43
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/images/2005/11/16/reliant_robin_body_203x152.jpg) ?
Title: Re: Gearbox / clutch noise
Post by: rubjonny on 09 February 2011, 10:03
yeah i only do mk1/2 and a bit of mk3 so i dont have to squeeze as much information into my poor aged old brain :grin: