UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

I am thinking about buying a GTI in the next couple of months as an upgrade for my M reg 1.6 8v (the thought of getting a 50% power increase in an already nippy car makes me get all excited )

However...my main concern is the gearbox issue... I have three questions:

0. What perscentage of GTIs have had gearbox failiure? is it a minority, or is it something thats quite likley to happen to any car I might buy?

1.Are there any suppliers who can supply new components for the box if and when it goes t**s up?

2. And secondly....I understand that the issue with the box is that the bearings disintergrate prematurley causing the internal parts to eat each other...SO..is it worth getting the gearbox rebuilt before it starts to go with new upgraded bearings so that the gearbox never has a chance to damage itself?

Chears guys.
Dunc

I think most GTI's on here have had the original gearbox replaced or reconditioned at some stage.

As for the gearbox itself, there is no way to guarantee that the gearbox will not break again.

As soon as you hear whining from the gearbox, get it checked out. Once you start hearing the whining, so long as its just started happening, you'll probably just need to replace the bearing and nothing else.

The bearing can still go at anytime after its been replaced and I think i'm right in saying that there is no way to strengthen the gearbox.

Hope this helps.

isnt there anyone that has a diff box on their gti????

can you not mate the polo bell housing to the lupo box?? VW lego at the end of the day....lol

my car is off the road at the moment after my 2nd box breaking so i rely would like to find a long term solution of either lupo box or getting some sort of motorsport box built

Well, I would suggest doing an engine conversion as it'll probably cost you enough to get another gearbox fitted in, like the lupo.

Its just too much hassle as the lupo one is hydraulic, there is too much work involved. Thats probably the reason why no one has done it yet.

ye i think i would end up selling my car before coming to the conclusion of an engine conversion as im only 19 and would struggle to get insurance on a 1.8T!
well im going to make a few calls and see what can be done

im still on my original gearbox and its going strong

just about the only thing though

but i have been startin to look around at alternatives

Same here, 60k, same gearbox... sliiightly paranoid about noises!

Been considering my options but I'm not sure which way I'll go. I want to keep the car thought whatever.

I've just had my gear linkage selecta seal changed as it was leaking gearbox oil, and new oil put in.

I have spoken to a few people and it appears there are two common faults with this box...

The first is that the bearings disintegrate as descussed..

The second, is the rivets that hold the diff together sheer off causing bits of rivet to get fired off into the gears causing them to tear appart and crack the casings...


I would like to think there is a simple(ish) fix to this.....

Does anyone happen to have a broken or dodgy gearbox that they would be willing to let me have? I want to take one appart and see what other weaknesses there are so I can put together a list of mods that are required to make the box last a lot longer!

I wish I did have a box for you, as am very interested in what you can come up with.

36k now, still on original gearbox, no noises at all. Touch wood!

Tomo, the lupo cannot and will never fit without great expense. Its based on the 020 design of the mk2 golf, as opposed to the polo box, which is an 085, just like the mk2 polo used. The bell housing is completely incompatible and wont mate to an 020. In order to fit one you need the following:

Lupo gti engine (or just the block/mk4 golf 1.6 16v block, then fit your gti head to it)

Lupo gti gear change selector and cables

Lupo gti pedal box and clutch master cylinder

Lupo gearbox mount.

Possibly lupo gti subframe. I dont even know if this'll fit. If not, someone thats good at welding to sort out the mountings.

I was looking into this before i reconned my box. Unfortunately the guy i was going to be it off decided to keep the six speed box for his lupo gti (which was a five speed) and sell the 'spare' engine he had with the 5 speed. I didnt think the work was worth doing for a 5 speed, even if it is a better box than the one the polo got lumbered with.

thats top info which is just what i was after, cheers mate!

the guy on here who has a turbo on his gti...what box is he running?

i just cant believe that not one person has managed to find a diff box to use or put in their gti, such a shame realy

hi guys, I dont appear to have anyting wrong with my gearbox, 'cept the selector rod seal leaking (I say this while touching alot of wood!!!). my other half is going to do this though. saying that, the cars just turned 33000miles, 2001 plate. will see waht happens!!!

Gearbox is fine so far coming up to 60000 miles. Had the gearbox selector sealed changed under warranty at 50000 miles, then changed again under parts warranty because it was still leaking.