Hmmmm, Where to start

Ok so I have a nosy thrust bearing and the bite is high on my clutch.simple fix but how do i know what clutch I need as there are more than one listed for my car - it's a 1.3 N reg 6n by the way

Also I have a knocking noise coming when I accelerate. could this just be as simple as a loose exhaust or should I check for something more serious? the exhaust is a bad fit anyway as it was bodged together from bits and bobs by the previous owner

the problem tat worries me most is the gearbox- if I travel long distances in 5th gear, ie down motorway, then when i go to change gears it gets really stiff and notchy ( if that makes sense), it is as if the box gets hot and starts to seize but once it has been left standing again it returns to normal. could this be the box on the way out or is it related to the clutch or do i just do a gearbox oil change? if the answer is to change gearbox oil then how do i do that?

talking of gear boxes my gear selection has now become sloppy and if i put it into reverse i have trouble getting it back out. could all these problems be related or are they all individual ones i was thinking it may be the selectors and if so do i buy complete new ones or is there a repair kit for this?

i am having the clutch replaced in the next couple of weeks so while it is stripped down i may as well try and sort all the problems out in one go.....i just need to know where to start looking

thanksfor reading and any help, advice, criticism etc etc is greatly appreciated

It sounds very much as if the external gear linkage may be worn, You car probably has the rod type linkage, but be aware that there is a cable linkage system as well, parts of these are NOT interchangeable.

It is not a bad idea ti check the gear oil level occasionally, but if there are no leaks, it should be OK. The level/filler plug on your car is probably at the front of the gearbox, just about hidden by a cable mounting. On later models, the level/filler plug is at the end of the gearbox.

The car needs to be stood on level(ish) ground.

Clean around the plug before you remove it. Once out, if the oil level is correct, it should JUST trickle from the plug opening. As the plug has a tapered thread ( no washer), take care NOT to overtighten it when you put it back. If it needs oil, use SAE 80; Hypoid 80 or SAE 75/W 90

As for the knocking noise, if it is a single knock as you accelerate or brake, it could be the exhaust system as you say, but it could also be down to the engine/gearbox mountings being in poor condition, if the latter is the case, this could also account for the difficulty in selecting gears.

If the knocking is continuous, it would pay to check: 1) Drive shaft to hub splines for wear (Is there any movement of the drive shaft WITHOUT movement of the hub?) 2) Drive shaft joints, although you tend to hear these more when cornering.

From memory, but it would be as well to confirm this, I think that your clutch should be 190 mm diameter.

As well as changing the clutch cover (pressure plate), clutch disc (driven plate) and the release bearing, it would be as well to fit a new spigot shaft cover sleeve (the item that the release bearing slides on), as if these develop a wear ridge, they can make clutch operation difficult and they are not expensive.

Regards.

It is not a bad idea ti check the gear oil level occasionally, but if there are no leaks, it should be OK. The level/filler plug on your car is probably at the front of the gearbox, just about hidden by a cable mounting. On later models, the level/filler plug is at the end of the gearbox.

The car needs to be stood on level(ish) ground.

Clean around the plug before you remove it. Once out, if the oil level is correct, it should JUST trickle from the plug opening.

Wrong info!

Early boxes the fill/level plug (17mm hex) is on the diff casing where the left driveshaft connects @ about the 2 o'clock position and on the later boxes its on the front face of the box just above the reverse gear light switch again 17mm hex and on both boxes the drain point is at the bottom of the diff casing

Early g/box

Later g/box

Edited 20 March, 201313 yr by nige8021

thanks for the replies guys

the knocking is just on acceleration and it's just a single knock so i was presumin the exhaust but will check engine / grabox mounts too

unfortunately the car wasn't looked after by it's previous owner who thought more about sticking shiny bits on it than repairing / maintaining it

will keep you updated as to how things go as i am hopefully fetching the clutch on friday and fitting it earlynext week

with the linkages, are there repair / refurb kits like on the mk2 golfs or do i have to buy complete linkages?

i would also like to know on the linkage repair mines a bit floppy but my bite point is quite low

just looking on ebay and am totally confused as i cannot find anything for a 1.3...only 1.2 and 1.4 and not even sure what i am looking for to be honest

found something with mine and might explain why it if difficult to shift looks as if a repair on the gear lever under the boot has been done with a large bolt and nut causing 5th to be hard amd miss the same with reverse.

can the gear lever unit be replaced easily?