Hard to get into 5th gear, 30 miles later, no gears!

[nebben]

I was towing a light load this morning to the dump. Probably no more than 300 pounds total including trailer weight. I noticed that shifting from 4th to 5th was difficult- like I couldn't get into 5th. I downshifted to 3rd, then tried down to 4th then up to 5th and it worked eventually. THis happened a couple times on the way to the dump (45mph max).

Later, I towed approximately 1000 pounds over 20+ miles with no issues. I unhitched, then drove (trailer-less) approximately 12 freeway miles, then maybe 3 miles stop-go city driving. I was just loafing along at about 40mph in 5th gear (it happened while in gear for a minute or more) when all of a sudden the car started making grinding sound and the engine apparently was no longer putting power to the wheels. I tried another gear but immediately heard the same grinding sound. 3rd netted the same result. I used my remaining speed to round a corner and park on a quiet residential street.

All gears are non-functional. I can start the car while in neutral and depressing the clutch. Changing gears (while clutch is depressed) nets some short grinding noises that are not normal. Any act of trying to disengage the clutch while in any gear results in clear sounding gear grinding. No gears actually engage and a lot of gear grinding racket ensues.

I've got about 82k miles on it so far and haven't had any previous transmission/driveline problems before. Does this sound like a transmission mount, engine mount, or some sort of shift linkage problem, and not a transmission malfunction? I'm weighing the options since I've got SUnday to wait it out before deciding where to have it towed (dealer for possible warranty service and week+ wait, VW repair shop for quick/cheap repair but bad part of town...etc.).

Whaddya think?

-ben
'69 beetle
'00 newbie turbonium

[wawalker]

I'm thinking you might get lucky and it'll just be a linkage problem, but who knows? Can you have someone move the shifter while you look down at the top of the tranny and see if anything is disconnected or very sloppily functioning?

[ristinkay]

I did that to my golf once and it was a cv joint if I recall!!

[SilverSportNOLA]

I doubt a CV will make that noise when shifting.

Can you shift the car into each gear when the engine is not running?

I have had this happen once on another car ... and for a GLX you are at the right mileage for a new clutch if you still have the OEM one in there. Most of us have clutch slippage ... sounds like yours is either pressureplate or throughout bearing failure. Tell us what the clutch pedal feels like also.

[Buggin]

With the car off, push on the clutch and go through the gears. If it feels like they all go in to place, jack each wheel and have soomeone twist it while you look at the inner CV boot. My guess it you cracked the tripod. Broken inner CV Joint will not allow you to put it in gear with the engine running (grinds)... been there - done that!

Also, I had a tough time getting reman's from ANY local places (NAPA, Autozone, O'Reillys, Advanced...) Ended up getting some beefed up billet ones from here: http://www.driveshaftshop.com/item135665.ctlg
* That cost ($300) is for the set. If you call them, you can order just one, I believe.

[digitalputty]

Ouch!

Can you really tow that much in a bug safely?

[nebben]

Yes, 1000 pounds is within the allowable towing capacity of the car. So I've read at least.

I just went to check again today (sunday, no shops are open) and learned some new stuff. I'm unable to let out the clutch at all without hearing grinding. No neutral, no 1-5 or R.

-ben
'69 beetle
'00 newbie turbonium

[mgwerks]

Originally Posted by digitalputty

Ouch!

Can you really tow that much in a bug safely?

We've pulled over 2000 lbs with Oso, but then again, he's a TDI!

[Buggin]

So how did it go?

[nebben]

The dealer quoted around $1000 for a clutch replacement using remanufactured parts. They wanted $1700 for replacement parts using new VW stuff.

I had it re-towed back to my regular shop and they did it for around $950 with new OEM stuff.

-ben
'69 beetle
'00 newbie turbonium

[SilverSportNOLA]

Too Bad you went with OEM, it doesn't last as long as most Stage 1 Kits and costs more.

[nebben]

I'm fine with the OEM. I drive like a senior citizen now and needed the car anyway (no time to wait for many days for parts).

-ben
'69 beetle
'00 newbie turbonium

[gadgetvise]

Originally Posted by nebben

>>>I drive like a senior citizen <<<
-ben
'69 beetle
'00 newbie turbonium

OUCH!! Youngster!!! I AM a senior citizen and drive my wife's bug like a joungster, I have you know. Sorry 8*)

BTW, My son Sam works at the Goodyear tyre store in Sandy, UT. He's got the JETTA bug and seems to know quite a bit about the A4 based VW's.