crunch going from 1st to 2nd

[Rabbit TD]

Redline MTL worked well, Castrol also do a synthetic gear lube, SMX-S which is what I use at the moment. Both are GL4, the sulphur in GL5 will shag the brass in the gearbox. It is definately worth trying different oil.  Slower shifting won't harm either.

I am using Amsoil MTL which is claimed by them to be safe for brass synchros which I have yet to find out what other materil they have been made from since then if there actualy has been a change made.  I put all new seals in it first though so I've had no leaks.  As far as GL4 Non Synhetic goes though a person is very lucky to find any.  I'm not sure I believe all the stuff about they say about the sulphur in the GL5 causing damage to the synchros either, I wouldn't be afraid to make a bet that all started after a bunch of people said that after they put in GL5 synthetic and after abusing the transmission for a year or 2, ruined the synchros naturaly and blamed it on the oil.  Does anyone know what the synchro rings are made from now just out of curiosity..

[Rabbit on Roids]

i thought all syncros were brass too.

[smutts]

I'm not sure I believe all the stuff about they say about the sulphur in the GL5 causing damage to the synchros either, I wouldn't be afraid to make a bet that all started after a bunch of people said that after they put in GL5 synthetic and after abusing the transmission for a year or 2, ruined the synchros naturaly and blamed it on the oil.  Does anyone know what the synchro rings are made from now just out of curiosity..

I would be delighted to be wrong, and I too have wondered what that modern yellow brass like metal is in GL-5 gearboxes.

Anyway, why worry? VW's suicide rivets will likely get there first!

[smutts]

  Wow! I've survived to be a veteran!

[Rabbit on Roids]

Anyway, why worry? VW's suicide rivets will likely get there first!

lmao, its sad, but he speaks the truth. if you dont shift it like an idiot, its gonna be rivets for sure.

[88jetta350]

The 2nd gear grind is common in the 020 Tranny. I think my Scirocco is the only one that i've had that doesn't do it.

I've heard of using GM synchromesh, but have never tried it.

I've learned from experience that an 020 can run forever with the 2nd gear grind, so I just live with it.

[Rabbit TD]

The 2nd gear grind is common in the 020 Tranny. I think my Scirocco is the only one that i've had that doesn't do it.

I've heard of using GM synchromesh, but have never tried it.

I've learned from experience that an 020 can run forever with the 2nd gear grind, so I just live with it.

Yeah my 81 Rabbits last 5 speed was like that too, you just had to hold it there for a second for it to drop in when it got ready, after a whle you just don't even notice it and it never seemed to get any worse.  I have tried a lot of different oils, Royal Purple synthetic, Redline, different non synthetics and now I'm using Amsoil GL4 rated.  Basicly all I've seen is the  synthetics shift a lot easier when it's cold because it's a lot thinner to begin with.  I also think they are a little smoother too ater it's warmed up also but if you have a bad synchronizer I don't think anything is going to make it go away other than a new synchronizer.  As far as oil viscosities and different weights supposedly not being rated high enough to protect the gears is concerned I think there are a lot of myths and marketing hype going on there too.  Ford used and still may be for all I know, ATF in their truck manual transmissions as well as the transfer case for years and it obviously doesn't harm anything.  Is a Ford gear different than anybody else's  gear or synchronizer either, I don't think so.  I like the synthetics as far as that goes but be ready for leaks if you put it in an old trans that's never had the seals changed recently.  I will say though that switching to a synthetic actualy does help your mileage a little, I know it has mine with the Amsoil.  I never really checked it with the other synthetics but I imagine they were similar.  Amsoil makes a synthetic for just about every need.  At the Nat. Pk. Service we use their 100-1 two stroke oil, you actualy mix it in the 100-1 ratio for any 2 stroke engine.  When I first heard that I thought, "these engines aren't gonna last too long", but it's some of the best stuff I've ever seen.  At 6 1/2 ounces to 5 gallons, a quart wold last you around the house for 2 lifetimes.  You'd loose or spill the stuff before you used half of it

[truckoSaurus08]

Just put some saw dust in it! Nah just kidding, I think they did that with old tractors but they had different style gears. I think thicker oil would be worth trying even if it hurts the brass synchros. The way I see it, if they're going out any way, you might as well try it.

[Rabbit TD]

Just put some saw dust in it! Nah just kidding, I think they did that with old tractors but they had different style gears. I think thicker oil would be worth trying even if it hurts the brass synchros. The way I see it, if they're going out any way, you might as well try it.

Exactly right and slow down any leaks at the same time too.  And I really don't think the GL 5 stuff would hurt a thing eiher.  Somebody probably noticed in a chemical analysis somewhere along the line that GL5 had something that wasn't good for brass which we still don't know what else synchros are made of anyhow but even if it's true it's probably such a small percentage it wouldn't hurt a thing.  Mercury is supposed to be deadly to humans if ingested but it's been in dental fillings forever, just a small amount that don't amount to a pinch of owl ***