mk2 16v grinding noise on rushed gear changes

[Chris71]

Hi,

I might be looking at a Golf in the near future and I'm told it grinds slightly if you try to hurry it into 3rd gear. Apparently this is a known issue on them... I'm told it might be solved simply by a gearbox oil change and failing that, new gearboxes apparently aren't that expensive for them (£60ish).

Does the above all sound about right?

On a different topic, it also needs some new springs and dampers. Never worked on a golf, but I presume these are fairly easy to change?

Thanks,

Chris.

[VeeDubGTI16v]

change the oil yeah, but your problem sounds like the linkages and bushes all need changing!

yeah shocks are easy to change!

[Chris71]

Ahaha - so it's likely to be a problem with the gear selector mechanism rather than the 'box itself then?

Another off-topic question! What's involved in changing the wing panel, do they just bolt on?

[Grazer]

I have this problem when throwing it into 2nd, told it was the synchro-mesh.

Wing panel is just a bolt on jobbie

[VeeDubGTI16v]

ive never heard of the syncro mesh going into 3rd though, mk2 boxes get dodgy into 2nd and reverse generally.

wing panel is sealed at the back as well as bolts! think heat works well but i havent taken one off personally

[Chris71]

Yes, I'd heard it was normally seen on 2nd gear, don't know if that suggests it's sometrhing other than the synrhomesh?

[VeeDubGTI16v]

yes - the linkages and bushes 

[jammac]

my gearbox was crunched from 2nd to 3rd. 2nd gear sybchro mesh was dying. bought another gearbox on ebay from a very nice chap for £26!!!! worked like a dream also changed the clutch whilst the box was out.

2 very satisfying jobs which werent particularly difficult with 2 people

get on ebay if the new bushes and oil dont fix it