Re: Gearbox Gremlins

[stans4@ix.netcom.com]

On 05/07/97 10:51:32 you wrote:
>
>Hi Guys,
>
>As some of you now I put the engine back in Joanne ('73 Squareback) a couple 
>of weeks ago.  No more oil leaks and she sounds beautiful.  Nice to be back in 
>the driving seat of a VW even though it still not on the road but its getting 
>there.  The feeling of having four cylinders pounding behind whilst you sit in 
>the driving seat.  I love it .
>
>The problem I have though is with the gearbox.  Even though I didn't drive it 
>too far, the following symptoms seem to be there:
>1. Whilst it will go into reverse, it will not stay there unless you put your 
>hand on the gearstick to hold it there.  It doesn't seem to be the same for 
>the other gears but as I haven't had it moving very far I can't comment on 
>whether this is the case or not.  When I did drive it last time, I didn't have 
>any problems and it has only be sitting still since.
>2. 1st and 3rd seem to be longer to get into.  Maybe its just me but to put 
>them into gear the stick seems to have to travel further.
>
>My questions are as follows:
>1. Could this be the gearbox itself.
>2. Could this only be the coupling.
>
>With the engine out I made sure the gearbox was supported at all times at the 
>appropriate height..  Any help diagnosing this would be greatly appreciated.  
>It ain't going anywhere until the body is done so if I have to pull the whole 
>thing out it aint no problem.
>
>Regards,
>
>Wayne
>'72 Notch
>'73 Square
>'83 Sigma
>
>
I've had this happen to me, it was because of an aftermarket shift coupler.  The set screw loosened up due to poor material, could shift into the forward gears, but the hockey-stick didn't quite make the full travel into reverse.  A new(VW make) coupler and setscrew fixed that.  You could still have some worn tranny parts, though.  Get under there and take a look!