Clubsport S Gearbox issues!

[WWCSS]

Hi Guys,

Mine is up to 1200 miles now, nicely run in and was driving superbly.. until today.

The fantastic gearbox shift action has gone all stiff and notchy - much harder to select gear, and also a feeling that the clutch pedal might be sticking slightly.

This started after a couple of fast standing starts to experiment more with the VAQ diff settings. Nothing this car shouldn't be able to handle over and over!

I am really not impressed, and it seems there are many Golf R manual owners citing similar issues on their cars too.

I'll keep you updated..
 

[Bigwod]

I'm on a thousand miles now,since I've had it , 3rd gear has always seemed a bit notchy up and down the gears

[WWCSS]

I am worried now about the fragility of this gearbox, and I know it will stop me from using the car to it's full potential - I probably will never take it on track now.

It's going back to VW this week, let's see what the verdict is..

[sharper]

I think it's the clutch that's the weak point. I began to suffer a few issues with my Clubsport S changing gear at higher revs. I posted here wondering if anyone else was aware of the problems. Got a few responses, mostly saying that Golf R clutches are ok, and the Clubsport was designed for the extra power.

Talk to independent garages selling Golf Rs and they'll tell you to avoid manual cars as they often sufffer clutch issues. By all accounts Rs have the same clutch as a GTI and it's likely to be the same one on the Clubsport cars too. Best solution is to fit an uprated Sachs clutch like some of the modified GTI and R owners have done.

[rwleigh]

As sharper says, better clutches are available.

See here: https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-car/volkswagen/golf-mk7/sachs-performance-clutch-kit-for-volkswagen-golf-mk7-r/

Good for up to 550 lb/ft if you go for sintered...

[WWCSS]

Thanks Guys - good advice, I might well consider the Sachs upgrade, as I don't want to be afraid of using the car to it's full potential.

This is an interesting read too on a US MK7 forum:
http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17581

My car is at VW today, and they have come back with the usual 'no fault found'.
Luckily there's a brand new CSS on their sales floor, so I will compare the gear change on both and get them to dig deeper..

[rwleigh]

Thanks Guys - good advice, I might well consider the Sachs upgrade, as I don't want to be afraid of using the car to it's full potential.

This is an interesting read too on a US MK7 forum:
http://www.golfmk7.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17581

My car is at VW today, and they have come back with the usual 'no fault found'.
Luckily there's a brand new CSS on their sales floor, so I will compare the gear change on both and get them to dig deeper..

I look forward to your update on this...

[mustard]

I'm on a thousand miles now,since I've had it , 3rd gear has always seemed a bit notchy up and down the gears

I had an issue with my Mk6 GTI, 3rd gear was always notchy and occasionally would not engage at all. After many visits to the dealer that made no difference, I was advised by one of the mechanics to fit a 'dogbone insert' as according to him there was excessive movement of the engine gearbox, but not enough for VW to do anything about it.

This made a huge difference to the gear change

Don't know if this is the correct one for your car, but worth a look for the price.
https://www.forgemotorsport.co.uk/VW_Golf_MK7__Dogbone_Bush_Insert_Type_B--product--1566.html

[rwleigh]

I have one of these fitted to my CS, good upgrade for the price...

https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-brand/034motorsport/034motorsport-billet-aluminium-mqb-dogbone-mount-insert/

[wigit]

If you end up going for an after market clutch look at the Helix as having run Helix and Sachs on identical platform cars my left leg got way more of a work out with the Sachs which was heavier.

I also did inserts given moment issues on previous cars