INFO FOR BOYISH RACERS
The real cause is bent selector forks. These are damaged when people
try to force the gearbox into 1st gear before it's ready to go... This
excessive force bends the selector forks and causes it to be out of alignment.
The gearbox has to be stripped down to repair and is therefore expensive.
Don't force your gearbox into first at higher revs. Not only do you risk
causing this problem, you also cause excessive wear of the Synchromesh.
Learn to double clutch, or rev the engine before engaging first to match
(synchronise) the gear speed.
If you have a damaged gearbox there are a few tricks to let you live with this
problem until your ready to repair it, when the rest of the gearbox is worn out
or you have the funds for repair.
The best way is to select first gear just before you come to a stop,
just before your wheels stop turning. What's happening here?, The gears and
synchromesh are still turning and even with bent selector forks, the gearbox
will line up the gears, while it's turning, so it will slip straight into 1st. If
you allow the car to stop before you select 1st, then there's only a 20 percent
chance the gears will be lined up. This is why when you let the clutch out again,
or select another gear before putting it into first, it sometimes helps it go into
gear. Of course, it means you have to keep the clutch in while waiting at the
lights, otherwise you have to put the clutch in a few times until it synchronises.
@sh
mk1 gti16v cab & sweet gearbox
