Issues to get it back on the road

[Mitching]

Looking to get my 8v back on the road within the next few weeks, but there's a few things I'd like to sort out 

The gearbox oil got a bit low, when I topped it up it sounded fine for a while, but then when I lifted off the throttle and coasted or slowed down (in gear with my foot off the throttle) it made a whirring/ grinding sound.
The sound disappeared when accelerating or when I applied the clutch.
Is it fooked, so to speak?

There's also a knocking when turning the wheel when stationary or at a slow speed, the CV joints are fine, one was replaced last year. Could this be ARBs or wishbones?

Also, how much would I expect to pay to get the cambelt done?

Cheers in advance! 

[rob.043]

Grarbox- dont know. Is it losing a lot of oil? If it gives up, a replacement can usually be found for £100 + fitting.

PAS- can you feel the knock in the steering wheel?  Check PAS belt tension, and maybe lift the front wheels to give them a wobble and check for play in bushes/ball joints.

Camblet-  price up and buy the parts yourself then its just a matter of having it fitted at a garage. You'll need a belt, tensioner pulley, rocker gasket, should easily be sub £100 for that depending on quality. Not a tricky fit on a golf. Say 4hrs labour at £35 = £140, so allow £250 overall as a rough guess.

[SoundillusioN]

Box sounds dodgy but then I would concentrate on where the oil is going first, once topped up did you check after your test drive if it was still full when making noises?

[antogoof]

have you checked the strut tops for the knocking? ive had this myself and it turned out to be faaked strut top mounts, g60 ones are £20 on egay.

[Rob Zombie]

Just on the gearbox prices,

I've literally just fitted a new box to my 8v GTi

I managed to get one off eBay with 89km on it for £125... And I must say its a pretty simple job also.

Robb

[Mitching]

Replacement gearbox is not an issue, I got one with the replacement engine I bought when the original one seized on me 
But the mechanics fitting the engine couldn't get the drive shafts to mate to the hubs (maybe due to my coilovers?) so put the gear box from the seized engine onto the new engine they fitted. There's 2 places I think oil could be escaping from: either from where the box is attached to the engine or it could be from the cylindrical bit with VW stamped on it on the nearside of the box as this has been grimey and oily whenever I've had the wheel off.
In the Haynes it says to support the engine either with blocks or with a device that you hang the engine from that attaches to the wings - I found that a bit off putting as I'm not the most confident of people when it comes to working on cars.

Not checked the strut tops, which now makes sense to me as I have cheap coilies on (which I'd also like to change for some reasonable shock and springs). A rear coilover sometimes knocked about when going over bumps which needed tightening.
I bought new top mounts all round when I fitted the coilies 2 years ago so they should be holding up fine.
Will have a look at that at the weekend.

[JimR]

I've had gearbox leaks through the drive flange seals, where the inner cv bolts to the box, have you checked there?