Transmission 'clunk'

[andyrtmorgan]

Hi Guys

I have picked up a strange thing on my Ghia recently and was wondering if one of the gurus out there could shed some light? When I ease my clutch out and take off in 1st, I get a strange jerk just before the wheels engage, there is a bit of an alrming 'clunk' sound and then all is well as I shift up through the gears. What gives?!!

[Bugger]

Give a bit more info so we could try eliminate the problem

Only in 1 st gear on leaving the clutch see if you play with the clutch in the other gears if any jurk feeling or little bump

If you put in 2nd and try pull away see if the noize is still there

Let us know more
Coz a clunk could be a veriety of things

[andyrtmorgan]

It seems to be whenever the engine engages sharply, eg accelerating after decelerating down a hill or when taking off from stationary. Gentle easing of the clutch when changing gears seems to obviate it - my engine is running a little rough and needs a tune up so perhaps that is exacerbating things? I'll have it done and let u know

[calooker]

You will normally hear a transmission deteriorating it doesn't normally just start making funny noises so my guess is that your engine /tranny mountings need to be changed, they may have failed. It's easy to check just need a little muscle, jack up the rear slide yourself in under the tranny and push up on the tranny closer to the nose cone (front) it should not have any noticeable up and down movement, if it does the front mounting is shot, that can cause a clunk when gears are engaged under load. To check the other two mountings you need too try and rock the tranny if there is movement then they are also shot. I would recommend if you are changing 1 then do all 3 at the same time. You will need to remove the engine to get it done but the tranny does not need to come out completely just loosened and pulled back and up.

[andyrtmorgan]

Thanks Rui

It does feel like something along those lines. Will give that a go today. By the way, I eventually got the Disk brake conversion done, what's that about 18 months later? Took me a while to find rims that would fit under my Ghia's rear skirts (got some old 13" golf GTI spoked rims) as it was I still had to grind a bit of the lip away but it feels really good and handling seems much tighter with the new tyres. Looks like I might have to lower the front now as the 13" tyres look a little lost at the stock ride height in those front wheel arches!

[Blitzkrieg]

Thanks Rui

It does feel like something along those lines. Will give that a go today. By the way, I eventually got the Disk brake conversion done, what's that about 18 months later? Took me a while to find rims that would fit under my Ghia's rear skirts (got some old 13" golf GTI spoked rims) as it was I still had to grind a bit of the lip away but it feels really good and handling seems much tighter with the new tyres. Looks like I might have to lower the front now as the 13" tyres look a little lost at the stock ride height in those front wheel arches!

Pictures?Which GTI had 13 inch wheels?MK1?

[hitlers revenge]

An easier way to check the front gearbox mounting is as follows. Start the car with hand brake pulled up. then engage 1st gear and let the clutch out. While doing this let somebody check the front gearbox mounting. If the mounting moves up and down when you release the clutch it means the mounting is shot. If the mounting is shot a tell tale is the movement of clutch pedal and accelarator pedal in opposite directions. Both pedals move if you just depress one or the other.

One thing to remember is that if the mounting is shot you have to determine which one you have on your car. So don't go and buy one until you are sure which one you have.

Just my 5c from expierencing a broken mounting.

[Bugger]

There you go when I read what you wrote , what Rui explained came straight to mind

It always help to have a bit more info for the forum guys to help fellow members

[andyrtmorgan]

AH! It is as you said it would be! Front mounting is shot. Now for the next trick... anyone know where I might find a two stud front gearbox mounting?

[calooker]

I have one for you, made of urethane, with the mounting hardware, R100 shipped to you.
Rui 082 830 6493

[andyrtmorgan]

Tks Rui, the mounting arrived today. I botled it up this pm and the old girl feels solid again!
Thanks chaps

[calooker]

Good to know you came right.

[vader]

My 5 Imperial Credits is always use struts to put your car on just incase it falls off the jack. Clunking is never good it leads to clanking and then to @#$%@@$$**&*((%%^^%&&)!

[andyrtmorgan]

Ok, here are the pics of the ghia as asked for! Not sure if they're actually off a GTI but def off a Golf Mk2.

So... should I lower the old girl or maybe look for some bigger mags and get rid of the rear adapters and try and find some 4 stud drums?

And tks Vader... I always use jack stands

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