Volkswagen Golf IV - Possible gearbox damage due to garage?

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Sun 29 Apr 2012 19:08
Volkswagen Golf IV - Possible gearbox damage due to garage? - lynzh86
I am really hoping that someone can offer me some advice on what to do next. I have a 57 plate golf 2.0 tdi gt. I have just had my clutch and dual mass flywheel replaced by my local garage (not vw). When I first got the car back the biting point was literally right at the top and very 'lurchy' when I pulled away, the next day it started to become very difficult to get the car into gear (to the point i was worried the gear stick would snap)and eventually to the point where it was impossible and I broke down. The garage took the car back in and told me it was a faulty clutch and they would replace it, the next day they called and said it still wasn't right and they were looking in to it. Eventually they came back and said that it was the dual mass flywheel that was faulty and that they would replace it. So third time lucky I got my car back and it appeared initially to be ok, but I noticed that there was a slight juddering when pulling off in first gear and reverse. Its also generally just not as smooth driving as it was before I had the work done. So I took it back for them to look at thinking that it would be down to the dmf again however they have said that they think it's the gearbox and it's likely I will need a new one but it will cost £200 for the labour just to find out! I would be fine with this however having just had the issues that I have had with them I am wondering if they could have potentially caused damage to my gearbox due to the faulty work/ parts. I really feel they should be looking at this free of charge and I'm wondering what to do next. They did say if they replace the gearbox they will chuck in another new clutch & dmf as a gesture of good will due to the problems I had, which I find a bit strange, would these new parts be needed AGAIN? However thy have actually suggested I part ex the car to avoid more expensive repairs. I really not want to do this. I am now wondering what to do, whether I should bite the bullet and pay to have it looked at and potentially spend another 2k for new gearbox, or if I should insist they look at it FOC . I am also wondering if I took the car to a specialist if they could determine that damage is due to them and then I would be in a good position to insist they repair my car at their own cost. Now the car has done 104000 miles and the garage did tell me that at this mileage & in particular with the 6 speed gearbox that it is common to need gearbox replacement. But for this to happen literally as soon as they had such trouble with the clutch & dmf is a bit close for comfort! Any advice you can offer me would be very very much appreciated. Thanks!!!
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Sun 29 Apr 2012 22:43
Volkswagen Golf IV - Possible gearbox damage due to garage? - Peter.N.

If its juddering when you pull away I think that is very unlikely to be a gearbox problem, still sounds like clutch/DMF to me.

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Mon 30 Apr 2012 13:45
Volkswagen Golf IV - Possible gearbox damage due to garage? - Robin the Technician

I think you are being fed a load of tosh!! Juddering is caused by the clutch, NOT the gearbox. Not running quite as smoothly as before is an engine issue, NOT the gearbox. To say a gearbox needs replacing at 104000 miles is common is just plain rubbish. It sounds to me like the DMF has an imbalance problem and not a gearbox issue. It also puzzles my why they would fit another DMF 'as a goodwill jesture' - it's under warranty!!! you should not have to pay for it anyway so they are not 'giving' you anything. If it was fitted by a main dealer then you should insist they put it right - not fob you off with scare mongering tactics like the gearbox is faulty. As the supplier and installer they must investigate further. If you are a member of the AA or RAC you could get an independent inspection or seek the opinion of another repaier - preferably a main dealer.

Hope this helps

Robin the Technician

I fix, therefore I am

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Mon 30 Apr 2012 15:30
Volkswagen Golf IV - Possible gearbox damage due to garage? - lynzh86

thanks very much, this has been a great help. i also feel i am being fed a pile of tosh. and i believe after the work that they have just done and the fact it was faulty in the first place, i feel they shouldnt be trying to charge me £200 to take my gearbox out again and look at it. after i broke down i did ask them to check to make sure no damage had been caused, which the obviously didnt do. i have also read that if a clutch is set too high (which it was as soon as i collected car & before i broke down) that it causes the front bearing (?) to spin constantly and can cause damage.

i have booked it into volkswagen main dealer to be inspected next week so will see what they say. they did say that as they didnt see the car before i had the work done that its very hard for them to say if it has resulted in damage to my car. i am hoping its a problem with the flywheel in which case i have good grounds to insist on them fixing at FOC

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Mon 30 Apr 2012 16:10
Volkswagen Golf IV - Possible gearbox damage due to garage? - Robin the Technician

Do please let us know how you get on....best of luck.

Robin the Technician

I fix, therefore I am

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