Crunching in Reverse

[maestro vans]

Going into reverse the gearbox has started crunching badly. Any suggestions from anyone? It is only going into reverse that does it. It has been getting gradually worse over the last few weeks. Any help appreciated.

[tony]

sounds like your clutch is on its last legs.

[Wetfish]

Try putting it in first and then into reverse, might make a difference.
HenryR

[B18 GPC]

is it a cruching when shifting & when reversing ?

[H48HPE]

it does sound like the clutch is not disengaging correctly. Mine really crunches if you just throw it into reverse imediately after a forward gear. to get a good change you need to stop the car dead, give the clutch a couple of seconds down then shift into reverse.

[ChrisM]

That's because reverse doesn't have synchromesh...

[maestro vans]

I come to a complete standstill, pull the clutch right in and slide it into reverse
It crunches badly doesnt do it in any other gear. As you say the only reason it will do this is if the clutch is not fully disengaging. What could cause this?

[tony]

i have a 1300cc van that needed a new clutch at 96,000 miles,

[e692wtt]

I come to a complete standstill, pull the clutch right in and slide it into reverse
It crunches badly doesnt do it in any other gear. As you say the only reason it will do this is if the clutch is not fully disengaging. What could cause this?

Try pausing a second or two, see if it makes a difference.

I'd suspect the clutch, as do others... maybe it's something like a build up of clutch dust on the plate, so there's a little motion still passing through the clutch (will just need cleaning out - but you might as well renew the clutch plate while you are there). Or maybe there's a little corrossion on the splines that the clutch plate moves on, causing the plate to stick in such a position that a little movement is transmitted through to the gearbox. Again, its a case of taking the 'box off and checking/cleaning up (and apply the tiniest amount of grease to the splines on reassembly) but you might as well change the clutch plate etc etc.

The clutch is easy to change on the VW-'boxed vehicles as it is 'inside out' - take off the gearbox and the clutch plate just pulls off!

Try 'dipping' the gearbox oil with a finger through the speedo cable aperture first, and see if the oil is 'glittery', because if it is then the gearbox is unwell (changing it will be the most economical repair - the Club has 5 speed Van 'boxes in stock c/o Ledbury). This is unlikely though, as these VW 'boxes seem to last pretty well :) . If the 'box seems ok, a change of gearbox oil (75w/90, GL4-spec, quantity 2l for a 5-speed 'box or 1.5l if the 'box has 4 forward gears, all from my not-infallible ;) memory) can make a big difference to the quality of the gear change.

[talkingcars]

Try putting it in first and then into reverse, might make a difference.
HenryR

This often works well.

Reverse is the first to be affected as it is the lowest and has no synco and is often the first sign of clutch wear, does the car judder when reversing, that is another sign of wear.

[yan2cv]

I get a little crunch if I'm too quick after stopping. Try the first gear trick and see how you get on.

Similarly, in cars with no first gear synchro, I select second (with the clutch still down throughout) to stop the 'box before selecting first to avoid the crunch.

Ian

[maestro vans]

Well a quick update for you all. I changed the clutch , friction plate, pressure plate, release plate, and release bearing. The clutch was OK anyway but changed it all none the less and give it a good clean out and put some grease on the splined input shaft to the gearbox, I suspected it could have een sticking before.

Now the problem I have is that its still crunching in reverse, but now is hard to engage in all the gears. I suspect the gear linkeage adjustment. Does anyone know the correct way to set this up.
Do you think the gearbox is knackered or just the linkeage needs some adjustment. Any help much appreciated.

[tony]

Do you have a lot of free play at the gear stick?
If you do get under the van while somebody moves the gear stick around (in neutral) and see if you can locate where the slack is. it may be ready for a new set of linkages.

[maestro vans]

I have replaced the long & short linkeage. This is on my clubman 1.3l not one of the vans. The selection is very notchy it isnt a nice positive selection if you know what I mean. Does anyone know the procedure to det up the correct gear likeage alignement?

[G Force]

I have replaced the long & short linkeage. This is on my clubman 1.3l not one of the vans. The selection is very notchy it isnt a nice positive selection if you know what I mean. Does anyone know the procedure to det up the correct gear likeage alignement?

Hi, to set up the gear change adjustment correctly you really need a special tool 18G 1455, you could try borrow from a friendly dealer but I dont think you will get much joy. :(


As a rough adjustment you could first lubricate all the linkage under the car and make sure every thing is free and not badly worn. Then remove the plastic disc from the rubber gearlever gaiter underneath the car. Hold the gearbox selector lever on the gearbox in the vertical position to ensure the box is in neutral, then check the distance between the tip of the white plastic reverse stop at the lowest end of gear lever and the reverse stop plate. The measurement should be around 13 - 15 mm. If it is not then slacken the pinch bolt on the selector rod near the selector lever on the box, and set the distance to 15mm. The tool 18G 1455 makes setting this distance easier and more accurate, with the tool in place set the gap between the tool and white plastic reverse stop on the lever to 2mm.

Cheers Gary :)

[maestro vans]

Thanks Gary,
If I do this and the gear selection is still notchy, would you suspect the gearbox is knackered? or is there anything else you can think of that I could check

thanks

[Monty O]

If it's the same as the 2L, have you adjusted the clutch cable properly?

[G Force]

Thanks Gary,
If I do this and the gear selection is still notchy, would you suspect the gearbox is knackered? or is there anything else you can think of that I could check

thanks

Have you checked the oil level or changed it ever, as low, old or the wrong grade oil can make the selecting of gears difficult. The VW gear change has never been smooth and positive but most selection problems are due to linkage wear, lubrication or adjustment or a combination of all 3.

Make sure that you have the same problems with gear selection with the engine not running as well as with the engine running, because if things are ok with engine off this would point to a clutch problem.

Cheers Gary :)

[maestro vans]

I have adjusted the gear linkeage rod and it is a lot better now. 3rd to 4th is lovely and smooth 1st to 2nd can still be a little notchy is this usual?. The good news is that after adjustment the crunching into reverse has gone. :)

[G Force]

I have adjusted the gear linkeage rod and it is a lot better now. 3rd to 4th is lovely and smooth 1st to 2nd can still be a little notchy is this usual?. The good news is that after adjustment the crunching into reverse has gone. :)

Hi I would say that sounds pretty much the norm. ;) You might get some improvement using the correct tool but I think you must have the set up PD close. :) Knotchy gearchange was always a criticism aimed at the maestro with VW gearbox.

Gary :)