Help, why is my gearbox full of plastic????!!!!!

[benji mk2]

Just done my release bearing, nice easy job and very pleased. However whlist doing it i found lits of little bits of red plastic in the gearbox  I thought perhaps the speedo drive had fallen apart, so i removed the cable but the red plastic drive stayed in the box. Managed to pick it out with some long nose pliers. It has a few little bits missing but nothing that would explain all the bits i found? Should the gear be held onto the cable in anyway and has anyone come across this problem before??

[Mk1Mad J - 16v]

It does sound like a bit of speedo drive in there, you should be able to get it out with an oil change (the gearbox not the engine  )

the speedo drive thingy should be quite tightly held onto the cable but there's no clips or anything that I'm aware of, you just shove it on there till you hear/feel it click into place 

  you've got to be really careful that red thing doesn't fall into the box, I had that happen and the gearbox had to be taken apart to get it out  sure... I got a re-con gearbox out of it, but I'd have rather gone without that extra little expense 

[dabill]

just out of interest, how hard was it to replace your release bearing? plus what parts did you need and any cost idea?

sorry to hijack the thread...

rob

[benji mk2]

it was very easy to change, just got a new bearing and end cap, took about 20 mins.  On the bad side the speedo drive has now fallen into the gear box................ sh*t. I'm now at my wits end, supposed to be visiting family tommorrow and now have no chance. Anyone got any tips to get it out?

[DarnPB]

Perhaps the cable has been changed in the past and the plastic bits went in there then.

[benji mk2]

Perhaps the cable has been changed in the past and the plastic bits went in there then.

 thats what i'm guessing, what i did see of the speedo drive (before it decided to play hide and seek in the g/box) it looked fine. Have ordered a new one and circlip for vw. Just gotta try and get the old one out, getting tempted to just mash it up in the gearox and flush the fluid a few times.    Head banging wall against.......................

[benji mk2]

just a little update for anyone else who has this problem, all sorted now. I drove the car for about 10 miles thinking I'd just grind up the drive. Went to put the new one on and suprise suprise, the missing speedo drive had re-appeared!! Managed to put the new one in (incl the circlip) and refitted with some nice new gearbox oil! Also found putting a bit of bend on the cable helps the drive sit into place a little easier. Had to drill out and re tap the hole that holds the cable in place as one of the previous owners had bodged it good style! I've never been so happy to see a speedo move! My car now rules instead of being a little bit*h!!!!!!!!!!!!