How hard is it to strip down and rebuild a gearbox??

[dom]

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

[danny_p]

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

[rubjonny]

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

[dom]

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?

[danny_p]

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

[dom]

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....

[GOLF_STU]

il let ya know soon im taking apart my 20vt gearbox apart next week to replace the diff and anything else thats damaged

[dom]

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!

[GOLF_STU]

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

[leeroy86]

i would personally recommend a gearbox speacilist to give you a quote. a recon box is better than second hand imo