final drive gear box noise?

[Nickconnett]

hi all, a mechanical queiry for those with a better ear then me!.
ive got a fast rummbly bearing noise coming from gear box type area, started/noticed it on way back from croatia, and is slowly but stedidly getting louder. not terrible yet but noticable. seems to occur in all gears whenever the accelerator is pressed and is generally constant when driving (noise dissapears when freewheeling in gear).

All gears can be selected fine and drives fine except for rumble when using accelerator when in gear.
im suspecting clutch bearings or final drive, and am hoping to head of any further damage or expensive rebuilds.

oh also noise doesnt seem to change much with engine speed.

any ideas would be greatly appreciated
van is 1985 petrol dg with 4 speed box 134k miles

[Aidan]

most likely it's the mainshaft bearing, they get grumbly, can be worst in top gear, do an oil drop when you get back and see what the drainplug magnet has to tell you. If that's good then drop the box and take a look at the clutch and check the end float on the flywheel.

[Nickconnett]

Thanks for the reply Aiden,

Changed gearbox oil 4 odd years ago, plug was pretty clean then but will check again. Oil level was checked and found to be ok 1 month ago. Would metal on the p lug suggest main shaft bearing, whilst a clean ish plug is suggesting clutch and flywheel bearings? Many thanks for your help.

[Aidan]

sludgy stem on the magnet suggests worn big bearing(s) in gearbox

[jebiga41]

what aidan said if its the mainshaft bearing it ill be grumbling from the front of the box fyi for drian plugs http://vantopia.ie/vw-t25-t3-syncro-gea ... ain-plugs/

[fried chicken]

Hi Nickconnett

Did you get to the bottom of this? I think I have the same issue