cossiegreg1

its my girlfriends VW polo X reg,the gears are getting really hard to select especially first gear.it grinds like fuck when trying to get into reverse.does it sound like the box is on its way out?or would maybe a change of G/Box oil be any better.the car only has 70k on the clock.is it possible the clutch could be causing this problem any info or help much aprecciated thanks Greg

cossiegreg1

SafeChav

Personally, although i know nothing about VW's, but sounds to me like a clutch problem.

The crunching in reverse tells me there is still an input on the main shaft, together with 1st being the hardest to select.....

You will probably find the springs on the pressure plate are snapping and the clutch isn't fully disengaging

cossiegreg1

thanks safe chav.its got 70k on and i dont think it would of had a clutch in so its probs worth trying that first

SafeChav

i can almost guarntee thats what it will be, see if you can get any adjustment on the clutch just to prove thats the fault.

Also, you will probably notice its worse when the cars warmed up, and that its not as bad when its cold....

cossiegreg1

cheers mate im going to look at it tomorrow.thanks

SafeChav

no problem

jayRS

yah sounds a common cluch problem, but could be a worn selector arm/syncromesh, unless you know how to rebuild the box its a scrap yard job or a recon box, scrapy will of course be the cheaper option

SafeChav

Dont forget the majority of cars dont have a synchro for reverse gear for obvious reasons

jayRS

yeah i know but im talking about the first gear prob.

grinding reverse is common when the cluch is going or not down enough

then again you "girlfriends" so that might be the problem right there, a woman!

SafeChav

Your a brave man i'll say that much

Who needs a foot rest when you can just use the clutch pedal

davecosworth

mate it will be the clutch i have had about 20 or so x reg polo's in with the same problem port of call for these are the clutch's go , clutch cable and also the pedal box splits the only way round it is to do all three really it does become e little expensive but it really is the only way of sorting it out first thing to do is have a good look at the pedal box as it plits if it has do that first and fit a new clutch cable remember that when you adjust the clutch cable you have to have a set clearance between the coils on the spring. if this dont work the do the clutch but be warned the pedal box is a night mare to change

list of parts

new pedal box
steering colum sheer bolts
clutch cable
clutch
gear box oil

and a lot of time and patience

jayRS

na, i reckon the list of things needed goes like this.

time
scrappy
money
a ford
happy