VW Golf GTI 020

VW GOLF GTI 020 GEARBOX REPAIR

It was welcome break from all the modern gearboxes and the first job of the New Year [2017]. An old school 8V VW [VAG] 020 GTI gearbox with 2nd Gear issues, [crunching] which most customers refer to grinding when they call us. This particular synchro has a friction lining applied to it, which has simply worn away through to the metal beneath, hence the crunching as the synchro can’t do it’s job and the slow the gear down before it’s engaged into gear.

Other common issues with this type of gearbox are diff & total gearbox failure due to the rivets coming loose from the crown wheel and milling out the case, the upgrade is a high tensile bolt kit and some simple engineering. Reverse gear idler & laygear damage caused by over zealous driving, the only cure for that is patience. [stop the car before selecting reverse] Typical pinion bearing failure with the two tapered bearings and the odd leaky seal.

After market support is strong for this gearbox, there is also the potential to upgrade the Diff with a Quaffe or similar LSD for better power control to the road wheeels and a  straight cut gearset for track days

VW GOLF 020 2nd Gear Synchro Showing wear on the friction lining