more "tranny" issues for Ed

[rs899]

No, I don't think Mk I and Mk2 cables are the same length.  I tried to swap a Mk1 cable that I had and it was too short or too long and I either was too lazy or stupid at the time to make it work  .  I had to buy an early mk 2 cable .  Maybe ROR figured out a way to modify it?

[Smokey Eddy]

I believe the mk1 cables are 800mm long... with what I can't imagine to be more than a few mm of adjustment. It shouldn't matter if its too long right? It will still work the same... perhaps its time for Kevin(ROR) to chime in.

[theman53]

MKI cable will fit on MK2 if you don't have the rubber piece on the trans. If you do it is too short...I got mine on but had 0 adjustment. Took the rubber off the trans support and had tons of adjustment.

[R.O.R-2.0]

maybe its that i used an 84 cable.. ive found that the 84 rabbit (ONLY 84) shares alot of cables and things that interchange to the mk2.

maybe the 83 and older cables are slightly different? it worked fine, with all the correct hardware, on my Jetta..

[theman53]

Mine was off of an 83 GTI???

[Smokey Eddy]

It sounds like they will all work. That rubber piece aforementioned I believe is specific to the auto adjusting cable.

[R.O.R-2.0]

It sounds like they will all work. That rubber piece aforementioned I believe is specific to the auto adjusting cable.

theres a THICK rubber bushing for the cable, and a THIN bushing as well. i cant remember what combo i used.. but i can fully adjust my cable no problem..

[Smokey Eddy]

Well my auto cable has a thick one on it... maybe 3/4 of an inch? Ill go with no bushing and see what happens when I get the cable.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Well my auto cable has a thick one on it... maybe 3/4 of an inch? Ill go with no bushing and see what happens when I get the cable.

well, if you have to get a cable, then get a mk2 cable and be done with it..

they fit RIGHT..

[Smokey Eddy]

I got an mk2 cable that is almost at the Max for length adjustment. Did not fix the problem.
I'm going to try replacing the pushrod and adding an arbitrary amount of gear oil to it. Basically ill add oil until it comes out of the fill hole. Plus maybe a cup or so since it will be tilted. I have a feeling its been leaking through the speedo cable hole. Despite my best efforts to seal it with new parts :-(

[Smokey Eddy]

Replaced the pushrod, bearing, cable and checked gear oil. Still almost impossible to shift gears...
I changed the gear oil relatively recently (within a year) and it's already brown... should I be looking at that as the potential problem? The fluid doesn't seem the least bit grainy or anything. but it's definitely dark. I think I'll swap it out as 75w-90 gl-5 gear oil is on special right now.

I'm open to ideas/suggestions though?
Upon close inspection, with the car NOT running it's still a little hard to go through the gears regardless of the clutch being engaged or disengaged. It always felt a little clunky but now something is definitely wrong.
It's something that happened at one time. not a gradual thing. All the linkage outside the tranny looks okay? how many moving parts are inside it?
should i ask brokeVW?

[rs899]

One suggestion is that you NOT use GL-5 oil.  You might try Pennzoil Synchomesh or Redline MTL  Sounds like you were quite a bit underfilled. Level should be at fill hole (running out) plus some amout ( I forgot how much- look at Broke's site).  I spent considerable time trying to fix my linkage, but it's still sloppy compared to the Mk1s I have.  I think you have linkage issues.

[theman53]

Have you ever replaced the shifter ball in the tunnel? If there is slop in the linkage it will shift hard. Also, on mine before the missing linkz shifter parts kit, the plastic white pieces were cracked and allowing for more travel yet not falling off.

Check out brokevw's site and see if you don't get some ideas. Is this the same trans that ate the speedo gear???

[rs899]

^^ yeah, the stuff buried in the tunnel is pretty important.  The bushing going out of the box really needs to be in good shape.  I swear, they built the damn car around that box....

[R.O.R-2.0]

DO NOT RUN GL5 OIL!!!

GL4 is the proper oil...

it wont shift right without the right GL4 oil..

or, if your trans is worn enough to shift with GL5, then GL4 will make it leaps and bounds better..

i thought the trans in my GTI worked good, till i changed the oil, put real GL4 in it, and its 100% better working/quieter..