Club 80-90 Forums

Hi All,

My gearbox or linkage just gave up on me yesterday half way to cornwall! I noticed knocking noise when free wheeling in 5th and 4th so stopped to check it out. When I tried to get going again i couldn't select any gears and it just makes a pathetic grinding/whirring sound - oh dear!


The breakdown van has towed me back home and the van is now sitting outside a garage awaiting attention. Basically I'm getting a mechanic to sort the problem as its way beyond me but thought I'd get a bit of advice here so that i'm a bit more educated about the whole thing. hopefully I'll be able to monitor/understand the work being done.

Firstly, how much is a new/recon gearbox? Also, could the problem stem from the linkage? - it was making a creaking noise selecting the lower gears but sorted that out by liberally spraying the joins with white grease. It has been a little difficult to select first gear at times so perhaps that's a tell tale sign?


The van is a 82 2l Aircooled Autohomes conversion.

Thanks!

for all things gearbox http://www.aidantalbot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
he is a long standing member of this club, and havig a chat with him could well save you a few quid, as well as stop you getting ripped off by a garage who sees you as pounds not pence.

Thanks Mocki. Spoke to Aidan - he only deals with watercooled models but useful to speak to him anyway!

well, i have to say i am surprised by that, sorry i wasnt more help.

from your original post your box is a 5 speed?
Aircooled boxes are only 4 speed, so although aiden only does the watercooled boxes ( this is due to early ones being the same as baywindow boxes and need a hole new set of tools to do) yours will obviously have a later box fitted , which aiden should have no problem sorting.
you need to check the code, also can you get a picture of the gearbox gear selector as this will tell which box you have!

I recon you might have simply dropped a drive shaft. Happened to me, knocked when driving. I stopped and no drive.

The bolts simply undo. Simple to fix. Good luck and I hope thas all it was.

Spoke to the customer he tells me its a 4 speed Aircooled with the linkage at the front. I pointed him at linkage first thing to eliminate. It's gone into somewhere that does work on Aircooled I believe.
I don't do the Aircooled boxes because I don't have the specific tools or the parts stash for them and they are harder to get parts for, even the main bearings are no longer available from oem, and I've not had enough serious enquiries from the Aircooled brigade to merit investing in the tools etc.., also I don't have the emotional investment in the Aircooled scene to drive me and I'm generally booked up four weeks ahead with work on watercooled boxes both 2wd and syncro at present so I haven't moved to start offering Aircooled gearbox work.
My american parts supplier can supply complete new Aircooled 091 box to suit either stock/modern/modified engine for less than $3000 delivered which at 2 to the pound was a great deal, now it's a bit steep so maybe there's a market there if anyone wants to do Aircooled boxes, there only seems to be cogbox and he bought all of shiplakes surplus and tools. But as I say I don't move in the Aircooled circle there are I know other sources, a lot of good general gearbox places would do them, there's still plenty vans and bugs running around

well spotted Billy - don't for the life of me know why I wrote that I have 5 gears! it is a 4 speed standard box for an Aircooled. Hopefully it's just the drive shaft then i can afford to get a few other bits and bobs done.

the van is waiting to be fixed at VW Airfix in Carshalton - luckily just stumbled across the place because we were in the area over christmas visiting my girlfriends parents. the have a good write up on here so that always puts my mind at ease!