Gearbox Notchy??

[SteveSAS]

Hi, enjoying my recent 2002 S3 but experience would be better with a smoother gearbox.

1st is the main problem where it resists going in 80% of the time when stopped at lights. On flat roads I've opted for pulling away in 2nd as I don't like to force the 1st too much as to make it any worse. All the other gears are fine except a little notchy feeling with the stick slightly wiggly (is this normal for this box?). There is no crunching of gears whatsoever so hoping just needs selecter mechanism looked at. 87000 miles full service history with complete clutch done at 50000 miles. Only had car a few days.

Was thinking of letting garage have a look. Audi or Indie??? Am in dartford, kent area.

Any advice much apprecaited.

Thanks

Steve

 

[eddieantifreeze]

I have a very very similar problem on my 1.8T, it doesnt feel like the clutch to me, its as if the allignment is out - mine is an early box however without the pin holes to re-allign the box. Im seeing a specialist tomorrow to get it sorted.

Try a search on linkage allignment or similar, i think there will be something useful.....

 

[s3dave]

This may help you....

Volkswagen Group Shift Linkage Adjustment for year models 2000-2010 - YouTube

 

[SteveSAS]

Thanks for that info, seems this stubborn first gear maybe quite common with these boxes. I phoned Audi for advice & they dismiss the linkage theory going for clutch & then something (forget what he called it) in the gearbox itself for 1st gear. Anyway they charge £850 for a clutch 3hrs labour for gearbox strip down at £120 per hr, so stuff them.
I have two Indies to visit near to me so will see if they can be a bit more interested. As you say doesn't seem like clutch to me as no crunch or problems with any other gear. Another thing I've found when left on drive overnight in reverse gear (slopping down) it goes straight into 1st as smooth as butter, the same thing happened when turning car around in road, from reverse straight to 1st is silky smooth.

 

[s3dave]

Check/change the oil maybe worth a go...

 

[Mike B]

Our Bora V5 box is notchy after167k mls. better if you double declutch.Changed the oil and added Molyslip and a lot better

 

[MUSH]

Defo oil change and re align the selector first point of call

 

[A3tell]

have you considered the dog bone mount bush??? i upgraded mine to a power flex bush, and now my gears are as smooth as anything, also feels tighter on acceleration too!!! for £15 its worth a go!!