Hard to change gear

John_Jizzle

Hi - My wife has recently started using the car. I went to drive it yesterday and noticed it was a lot harder to get into gear. When the car is still (at lights etc.) I can put it into any gear with ease.

Anyone ideas on what this is most likely to be (and cost).

the car is a VW Golf TDI (2003)

Ebe_Scrooge

It could be any number of things. The two most likely candidates that pop into my head are :

1. Gearbox oil needs replacing - a bit more involved than a simple engine oil change, but not hugely difficult / expensive.
2. Syncromesh on the way out - particularly if you find it's worse when changing down. This will be more costly to fix, but if you learn how to double-declutch you can get away with no syncromesh at all, like we did in the good old days before syncromesh was invented :-)

Strider590

Has the missus ever used the old phrase:

"Can't find it? GRIND IT!!!!"

birkee

If it's since the Wife started using it, my guess is she's a clutch rider. (Leaves it in gear whilst waiting, instead of putting it in neutral) Good chance it's the synchromesh.

Strider590

birkee wrote: »

If it's since the Wife started using it, my guess is she's a clutch rider. (Leaves it in gear whilst waiting, instead of putting it in neutral) Good chance it's the synchromesh.

Generally cars are quite resilient to that, it's when you ride clutch on the move that you cause problems. Especially if your one for using too high a gear, like pulling away in 2nd etc etc.

Just thought id mention that in case people take it literally

John_Jizzle

yeah its harder when going down (although its still hard going up).

Yeah i blamed the wife instantly

Anyone any idea on cost of Syncromesh ?

Limey

Could be a leak in the clutch hydraulics, if not as above synchro's.

Replacement of the gearbox oil with a good quality oil (Redline MT-90) will help prolong the life of the synchros and may ease up the shifting.

Is it occuring between all gears?

Limey

Doh, slow typer.

Cost of getting the synchro's done are likely going to be more than swapping the gearbox for a good second hand one.

John_Jizzle

yeah its between all gears. Find it really hard to go from 3rd to 2nd.

I knew I shouldnt have let her drive it

Gloomendoom

John_Jizzle wrote: »

yeah its between all gears. Find it really hard to go from 3rd to 2nd.

I knew I shouldnt have let her drive it

I'd suspect the clutch mechanism.

Ghostrider

The VAG platform of that era for Golfs/A3s etc suffered from premature wear of the "dogbone" bush which is mounted between the engine and gearbox. You'll often have problems getting into second gear when the bush is worn.