[bigsixguy]

Hello All! Just finished the shift linkage rebuild, but still have the old "popping out of fifth gear" problem.
I've checked the Bentley and will do the other adjustments, and check to make sure the fluid is properly topped up, but I'm not optimistic on the results.
Got some release bearing noise so I'll replace that guy, but I am wondering if it would be better to just get the tranny rebuilt instead of puttering around with little fixes here and there. Anyone seen this problem before and what did you do about it? How long to do the fifth gear and syncro? Any special tools required?
Thanx a bunch!

 

[SauerKraut]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (bigsixguy)

If you buy a rebuilt tranny, youll end up spendin g a lot more than if its just little fixes. As long as your tranny's not on its way out, just fix the little things first.

 

[negativl]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (bigsixguy)

If it's just 5th popping out there probably isn't a whole lot of damage. Any grinding noises? how's 2nd gear syncro? If you're not seeing any other problems, the difference between just pulling the end and fixing 5th and maybe the throwout, versus tearing down the rest, is pretty significant. I'd start with a drain and replace with MT-90, make sure the level's right and see. It's cheap and does often work.

 

[bigsixguy]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (negativl)

Wow, fast! Yes, it is just 5th gear, syncro in second is fine.
There is a little grinding when it pops out of 5th, and it doesn't seem to go into 5th properly when upshifting. I recall the lockout adjustment in the Bentley, will it make a difference? And isn't 80W gear oil what the Bentley calls for when topping up the trans? Sorry, I'm at work and don't have the book here...

 

[negativl]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (bigsixguy)

Yes, the VW spec is 80W, GL-4. MT-90 is Redline's other manual tranny lube. It's a 75W-90, little thicker than MTL, but still pretty thin.
lockout shouldn't matter, but it might. shifter alignment too. Easy way to tell that is to pull the shifter boot. The shifter uses the full width of the box. You'll see the shifter plastic touch the sides of the shifter box, left side for 1/2, right for 5.

 

[rockin16v]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (negativl)

5th popping out is causedf by low tranny fluid. its too late now, but check out kraftwerks.com for tips/faq

 

[bigsixguy]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (rockin16v)

Thanx for the info, I didn't get a chance to check the fluid last night but I will tonight. I tried to get to kraftwerks.com but the URL isn't working. So I guess I'll replace the release bearing and make sure the fluid is topped up properly. I did do the linkage rebuild and have the adjustments all proper now, the kit from parts4vws.com even came with the adjustment tool!
Is there any advantage to using the Redline lube? I'll have to find a vendor here in Calgary, maybe Concept1?
Thx again!

 

[negativl]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (bigsixguy)

In case it wasn't clear from the Bentley, when you check the fluid, you'll be exactly .5L low afterwards, unless you were even lower, so don't check it until you have a bottle of fluid ready to top if off.

*edit: assuming you have the original tranny, 85-Sept90 are the goofy ones.


[Modified by negativl, 7:44 PM 2-13-2002]

 

[bigsixguy]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (negativl)

Yep, and top it up through the speedo cable opening. Valentines' day, no work going to get done on it today, but Thanx for the reminder

Found Redline locally, has anyone ran their oils in the crankcase of their cars? From what I understand these are top quality synthetics and can be used almost anywhere. I would imagine others like Mobil1 are less expensive, tho. The Redline runs about $15.00 Cdn per quart.
It has the original trans, what do you mean by "goofy?" Are you referring to the unusual filling procedure?

 

[negativl]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (bigsixguy)

Haven't used Redline anywhere but the tranny/diff (they're separate on RWD cars ya know

) but yeah, I've also heard their motor oil is really good. Pricing with M1 seems to vary, at least around here. M1 motor oil is somewhat more common, but it's still hard to get a good deal. M1 gear oil is much harder to find, so it tends to be priced close to Redline. I think M1 gear oil has higher shear resistance than Redline, but it's outside of spec for A2 trannies, so I wouldn't try it.
So far, I've been fortunate. All my cars can use the same oils (MT-90 tranny and 20W-50 motor). I could go 15W-50 synth, but Mr Bentley says the old BMW doesn't want anything thinner than that. Will do so when I can afford it.
And yeah, by goofy I'm referring to the fill plug being .5L too low. normal trannies are just flush with the bottom of the fill plug, ya know.

Of course, normal trannies don't grenade randomly due to rivets letting go either.

 

[bigsixguy]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (negativl)

What does Redline do for noise? I've got a noisy 4 speed in my truck, it howls even louder when I'm pulling the trailer, but the Ford 4 speed is known for being noisy. If Redline helps, I'll change to that in the truck, too!

 

[The_Jerbel]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (bigsixguy)

I dunno, the tranny in my car isn't noisy

I can tell you however that redline in our tranny's is DEFINITELY worth the $15 per quart (need 3 quarts, well 2.1

)

 

[bigsixguy]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (The_Jerbel)

AK! I thought the Bentley said 1.9 litres, so I just bought 2 bottles (each is 1 U.S. quart) thinking it would be enough, I guess not

And I'm at work, the book is at home...

and I guess I'll have to stop at Mopac on the way home, it's about 20 km's out of the way, oh the lengths we Dubbers go to...

Ah, well it is Friday (

day in my house) and my plate will be full for the weekend, home reno's and Jetta fixes, life is good

Hey jerbel, where in Calgary are you located? I work at Mount Royal College and live in Strathmore, spend a lot of time on Glenmore Trail Monday to Friday

I see lots of smoky VW's along there, you aren't one, are you?)


[Modified by bigsixguy, 9:50 AM 2-15-2002]

 

[negativl]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (bigsixguy)

Yep, 2.1, sorry dude. It'll be worth it, but it still hurts to walk out with a little box of oil having spent so much money. I had to buy enough for both my gti and my 633, so I got 6 quarts at once. For a guy without a job, that kinda hurts.

 

[The_Jerbel]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (bigsixguy)

I am located in Springbank! Just outside Calgary to the west, but I work at Richelieu hardware which is just off of Glenmore trail and 52 st SE. I also spend a lot of time on glenmore trail monday to friday, and YES I am one of those smoky VW's!! I have an '88 Diesel Jetta, so I prolly smoke more than most haha. It smokes very little for a diesel though, so I'm not too embarassed. I probably pass you on glenmore each day. What do you drive to work? I'll keep an eye out.

 

[bigsixguy]

Re: Rebuild or just fix? (The_Jerbel)

What I drive depends on what is working... if the '85 Jetta GL is driveable, I take it to work, otherwise I borrow the wife's '99 Grand Am or the son's '90 6000. Nothing we drive really stands out except my truck, which is loud and smoky.
We travel opposite directions each day so we are on opposite sides of Glenmore, hard to keep an eye out in the other lanes when there are so many a**holes on Calgary roads every day! Have you noticed how bad it has gotten over the past few years?