Gearbox Disaster-Please help (location of 5th gear linkage ?)

[new8vgtiowner]

Can anyone please advise----After a long run (300 miles) doing approx 65 mph my 88 8v suddenly dropped out of 5th---when trying to re engauge a loud grinding noise like trying to do it with no clutch---(still have 1,2,3,4th and reverse,gearlever has been sloppy for a while and was thinking about a linkage rebuild kit---also now it sounds as though the release bearing is on its way out----very noisey until the clutch is depressed-------
So please---Is this a common problem ? (gti done 155 thou)
                 Will "any" gearbox fit ? as long as same year and 5 speed ( i think the gti cluch is larger-i have a spares 88 1.6) 
                  Cost i am looking at for comp` clutch and gearbox (will put it in myself-the old girl is not going to die yet)

Thanks all-Petew Haynes.

[rowlers]

iirc loss of 5th is the first sign of low oil in gearboxtop it up see if tat helps

[Mew]

Or could be a snapped linkage?

[Horney]

Yeah I lost 5th when I ran out of gearbox oil in my old GTi.

Nick

[new8vgtiowner]

Think i`ve found the problem-----is it called the "relay shaft" bush----should be ball/round type of bush ? well all i have left is a small amount of metal that looks like it once had splines on----moves about in the socket about an inch free movement !!!!!!!!!!

[BobbyT]

Can anyone please advise----After a long run (300 miles) doing approx 65 mph my 88 8v suddenly dropped out of 5th---when trying to re engauge a loud grinding noise like trying to do it with no clutch---(still have 1,2,3,4th and reverse,gearlever has been sloppy for a while and was thinking about a linkage rebuild kit---also now it sounds as though the release bearing is on its way out----very noisey until the clutch is depressed-------
So please---Is this a common problem ? (gti done 155 thou)
                 Will "any" gearbox fit ? as long as same year and 5 speed ( i think the gti cluch is larger-i have a spares 88 1.6) 
                  Cost i am looking at for comp` clutch and gearbox (will put it in myself-the old girl is not going to die yet)

Thanks all-Petew Haynes.

happened twice to my mk1! your gear box is fooked mate! dont rebuild, try and get a new one! 

[Gambit]

Think i`ve found the problem-----is it called the "relay shaft" bush----should be ball/round type of bush ? well all i have left is a small amount of metal that looks like it once had splines on----moves about in the socket about an inch free movement !!!!!!!!!!

see here
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=51321.0

[new8vgtiowner]

Drained the "oil" out----only half litre !!!!! that was black----got new bush---refilled----same noise same problem----no 5th and sounds like relase bearing is screaming untill clutch depressed---so doing 1400 miles in 1 week was toooooo much then ?.
Where is best to get relacement box from -any ideas please ?-and cost ? Thanks all.

[VeeDubGTI16v]

i have a 16v one for sale if your near guildford!

[new8vgtiowner]

Sorry mate---in Germany (British Army) maybe was too much for it on the Autobahn----