Mk1 rivage J'reg, Problems with first and third gear/gearbox become lose! HELP!!

[H Singh]

Hi Guys, i need some help

I was driving my mk1 rivage yesterday and at the lights i put my car into first gear and i heard a metal piece kind of crunch or something like it may have broken!

I nursed my car back, struggling to put the car into first and third gear so was having to move off in second gear, at times first gear does go in but my clutch has become really loose as has the gearbox. the gearbox was very tight before the issue! i tried looking at the gear linkages and they all seem to be in order and i also checked the clutch cable and that seems to have moved however after putting that back into place that hasnt rectified the problem. at times first gear goes in and at other times it doesnt at all.

Does anyone know what the issue may be? could my clutch have broken or warn out? or has anyone got any ideas as im without a car now and i need to get this fixed asap...

Thanks Guys

Harry

[Mixmasta]

I was driving my mk1 rivage yesterday and at the lights i put my car into first gear and i heard a metal piece kind of crunch or something like it may have broken!

Doesn't sound good! without looking and hearing it it's going to be hard for anyone to diagnose properly.

i tried looking at the gear linkages and they all seem to be in order

How/What did you check? as intermitant 1st gear selection is normally an alignment/linkage issue in my experience, could be worth properly rechecking in the first instance. What about the other gears inc reverse?

Re the clutch, was it working fully in second when setting off i.e. not slipping, juddering etc.

There's loads of more experienced peeps on here than me  but I would get it up and have a good old route round mate

Good luck!

[H Singh]

yea i agree but that sound only happened once, the cars running completely fine!

im planning to try get it up and take a look at it again as i only looked from it under the bonnect but there doesnt seem to be any linkages broken. the clutch was working fine in seconds gear with no slipages, and also you asked if it happens in reverse, it does occasionaly too!

if its a linkage problem is that easy to fix? as ive never had any linkage problems on my mk2 in the past 6 years either !

Harry

[Mixmasta]

You definately need to get under it to have a good look as you obviously can't see the entire linkage from under the bonnet, might even be something as simple as your pinch bolt has slipped!. Re the linkage being a problem, no not really mate, you can refurb your gear linkage with a kit available from motor factors such as GSF etc and the link below will show you exactly what you need to do

http://www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=36686

Done it myself and it aint so bad!

Theres even a vid of Ed China doing it if you search wheeler dealers mk1 golf on youtube

[H Singh]

brilliant, well im going to try and have a look at itas soon as tghe rain clears up whenever that shall be and take it from there, ill keep you posted with to how i get on when ive had a look..

you've been of great help cheers buddy

[H Singh]

new update Mixmasta , managed to checked under the car this weekend and all linkages seem to be in place without any poblems. i have noticed that when i put the clutch down into first gear it will slot in 2-3 times but then after that it wont unless i put it into gear 2 and then back to gear one.. any one have any ideassss?

[SoundillusioN]

new update Mixmasta , managed to checked under the car this weekend and all linkages seem to be in place without any poblems. i have noticed that when i put the clutch down into first gear it will slot in 2-3 times but then after that it wont unless i put it into gear 2 and then back to gear one.. any one have any ideassss?

just because its all in place doesnt mean its not duff, if it wasnt in place it pretty much wouldnt work at all.  when you are in gear, does the gear stick move quite a bit from side to side... if yes the linkage bushes need replacing and will most likely solve your problem as already suggested by Mixmasta.

[kraM]

You may have a bent push rod (clutch)
Or the syncro hubs are wearing out, they normally crunch like fudge into second, and make 1st really tight, unless you slot it into second, then back into first, dunno why this works, but it does.

If the box is knackered, there are companies out there that will rebuild the box for less than £100, and you can get the bearing kits from e-bay for about £70.  I know that it sounds expensive, but you get a fully rebuilt box for a bit more than a second hand box with an un-known history.

kraM

[H Singh]

[/quote]when you are in gear, does the gear stick move quite a bit from side to side... if yes the linkage bushes need replacing and will most likely solve your problem[/quote]

Hi SoundillusioN, yes its moving quiet a bit from side to side so that could be the issue! i shall maybe have a look at that over the weekend if i get a chance!

Hi Kram, im hoping that it isnt the bent push rod them in in trouble! the cost fo repair doesnt phase me as this is my show car so i prefer to have new put in, the box was only rebuilt about 3000 miles ago so im hoping its not that!

[Mixmasta]

the box was only rebuilt about 3000 miles ago so im hoping its not that!

Well fingers crossed it aint that then mate - shouldn't be if you got it done properly and i'm guessing you would if it's a show car! these rebuilt boxes could/should have a warranty period with em anyway!

It's never going to be a bad thing to do to replace/overhaul the gear linkage bushes in any event so I would definately start there matey. If the box has been out recently it is entirely possible that a bush was damaged and likely that the pinch bolt wasn't tightened up fully or aligned correctly. On a newly refurbed gearbox I would definatley think this would sort out your probs and have it back to being as tight as a drum!

Kram, you're getting boxes fully refurbed for £100?, could you let me know where please as i'm being quoted 4-5 times that from gearbox specialists round here