Whining gearstick - DIY gearbox rebuild??

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T25Convert
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Whining gearstick - DIY gearbox rebuild??

Post by T25Convert »

Just done 2500 mile trip in the van and the most annoying noise is a persistent whine from the gearstick, which appears to be transferring noise from the gearbox. 5 speed box, particularly bad in 4th and 5th, worst when placing the engine under a bit more load. The box itself doesn't seem to be particularly noisy, its all in the stick.

Brand new gearbox oil (it was doing it before as well though!). Nothing alarming on the drain plug, or in the oil.

Shifts spot on, apart from the change from 1st to 2nd when the box oil is cold.

If I apply a little pressure to the stick either way, it quietens down.

Is this indicative of poor adjustment of the change mechanism, or something more terminal long term?
Last edited by T25Convert on 20 Jun 2019, 14:34, edited 1 time in total.
RIP - George - 1.9DG '85 AutoSleeper Trident - rusted away

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jebiga41
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Re: Whining gearstick

Post by jebiga41 »

Sounds like bearings (they are all 30 years old) and more than likely the mainshaft bearing moving forward in the case and your 5th gear rubbing on the back of the case. By the way, the gears are cut this makes the mainshaft want to go forward and away from the pinion shaft and wear down the stop in the case but as the case is a softer metal after 30 years it has worn down. To eliminate this we use an AJT metal gasket which effectively sandwiches the bearing in place so it cannot move forward, the end case is skimmed to allow for the gasket. Was the oil silver in colour? Although it may not bee too evident if you are changing it regularly. It will need a full strip down and rebuild also the more you drive it the worse it will get and more expensive it will be to fix. Also applying pressure to the gearstick can add to additional wear and stress on the gearbox. I have some 5-speed gearboxes in stock which can be built on an exchange basis pm me or email me at vwvantopia@gmail.com hpe this was of help {Paul
VW T3/T25 and Syncro Gearbox rebuilds
http://vantopia.ie

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T25Convert
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Re: Whining gearstick

Post by T25Convert »

Thanks for the response - not what I hoped but what I feared!

Gear oil change was first in my ownership of a year, and judging by the external condition of the plugs the first in some time, certainly there is nothing in the folder of receipts for the last 10 years that indicates a change.

Oil itself wasn't particularly metallic looking, and what was in it appeared more bronze coloured that silver - I had assumed that the majority of this was the remains of my synchromesh bits!

What sort of ball park figure do I need to save up for a new box? - E D I T - just clicked through to your website, I see your basic pricing. Best start saving hard now!!
RIP - George - 1.9DG '85 AutoSleeper Trident - rusted away

George Second - 1.9DG '89 Caravelle

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itchyfeet
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Re: Whining gearstick

Post by itchyfeet »

where is the basic pricing, I can't see it?
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T25Convert
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Re: Whining gearstick

Post by T25Convert »

itchyfeet wrote:where is the basic pricing, I can't see it?

From 1000 euros assuming basic rebuild....
RIP - George - 1.9DG '85 AutoSleeper Trident - rusted away

George Second - 1.9DG '89 Caravelle

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T25Convert
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Re: Whining gearstick - DIY gearbox rebuild??

Post by T25Convert »

Hmm, reading the samba rather than doing work I notice the self build is potentially feasible.

Anyone tried? I've build a couple of engines, and have fixed/replaced pretty much everything else on a T25 and other old tat but the gearbox is a mystery.
RIP - George - 1.9DG '85 AutoSleeper Trident - rusted away

George Second - 1.9DG '89 Caravelle

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itchyfeet
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Re: Whining gearstick - DIY gearbox rebuild??

Post by itchyfeet »

need special tools thats going to cost you.
there is a fb group on the T25 gearbox
1988 DG WBX LPG Tin Top
1989 DJ digijet WBX Holdsworth Villa 3 Pop Top
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