CAN'T GET INTO FIRST AND THIRD GEARS?!

[Wildestyle88]

Hi there i have a question - I went to go out today and couldn't get into reverse, after a little revving and grinding it popped in, then it wouldn't go into first? so i checked to see what other gears i couldn't get into, second went in OK, but third didn't work, fourth was fine (only a four speed box). One other thing, iv not ever been able to go from fourth to third, i always had to put it in second with the clutch in then pop it into third (only had the van for three weeks). anyone had anything like this or know what the problem may be?

Thanks a bunch,
Dan.

[rob1927]

Hello, Have a look at the cup and ball set up at the gear box. There is a ball on a shaft that comes out of the gear box, this shaft is what changes gear inside the box, the cup part is connected to the long connecting shaft under the van which is connected to the gearstick.

So the ball is supposed to sit in the cup, so as when you change gear the cup moves the ball about(i'm not joking!) thus changing gears in the box.
What can happen is the cup itself can get very worn and also the connecting shaft bush can wear causing the ball to only sit half in the cup.

I checked mine the other day as i couldn't get out of second, lo and behold it's the cup and ball all knackered, the cup on mine has worn to the point where the ball now sits on the edge of the cup which is why it was getting stuck in 2nd!
Its on the to fix list, simple repair, the parts are all available from brickwerks, and theres a great how to on the wiki here.

Get underneath and have a feel to see if there is any play in the parts that connect to the box, and go from there.

Might be worth looking at the gearstick end too, these are usually worn away.

[Wildestyle88]

Ok cheers ill have a look! Thanks for the help, ill let you know how i get on.

[rob1927]

Ok no probs, good luck.

[Plasticman]

sounds like either ball /cup worn , (unlikely) the plate at gearbox end can often be on the wrong side of the mounting lug,(often) sometimes be upsidedown as well (sometimes) and the splined joint near fuel tank is loose/needs adjustment (often) In your case it would need to be lengthened about 1/8" to start with if the above checks out
mm

[Nitmoi]

I have had the spline locating teeth on the ball assembly strip off a few times. There must have been a batch of butter ones made up in 2002 but the latest one has stayed good. Its a bit of a fiddle to get the gear stick in the right place when you put the new one on best get someone to hold the stick for you. The washer arrangement on re assembly is critical.

[Evokiola]

Similar happened to me in France this year. You will probably need the rubber boot too to go over it too. Here's the thread https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=122328" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wildestyle88]

Hello everyone thanks for all your help, much appreciated!! But am still a bit lost, this is my first van and am not much of a mechanic... (yet)! I've been under and had a look, i can see where the stick shift comes out and i can see the gearbox, but that's about it where and what exactly am i looking for?

Dose anyone have any pictures? or know any good step by step instructions?
or even better dose anyone know if there is somebody in the north west of England that can help me?

Thanks again for your help!

[Aidan]

where in NW ?

you could try Mick at VW NW, he's got an ad in for sale with his number on

I'm not that far away

[CovKid]

Plenty pics here:

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ge ... hanism_Pt2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Wildestyle88]

Oh great stuff, thanks for the pics, ill have another look tomorrow!

hi Aidan am in Runcorn, any help would be much appreciated!

[Aidan]

hi Aidan am in Runcorn, any help would be much appreciated!

move to Widnes

[CovKid]

At per Tuppence Per Person Per Trip - OR Per Part Of Per Trip...

[Wildestyle88]

[Wildestyle88]

Hi everyone, Thanks for all the help.

I need to replace this part but i can seem to get it off. I got the rod selector bit off, but this bit wont budge?? I took the nut and washer off, dose it just need a bit of persuasion or is there a technique to this that i'v not figured out?