Hi all,

Problem with changing gears, it feels stiff/hard to change gears.

I have a 1.4 MK5 Polo 2000

I've got it checked by a garage, who's mentioned its the Pedal Box.

I've got a quote off £225 for the pedal box & Clutch only not including fitting from VW dealers.

But was wondering if i should just replace the clutch and get the current pedal box welded.

Or just replace the pedal box and leave the clutch alone.

Appreciate the help.

:)

that doesnt sound like the pedal box to me.

when the pedal box fails, you have no clutch pedal anymore lol

surely just the clutch wants replacing?

has your clutch pedal dropped down or anything?

to me though, ad do more investigating. it could just be a gear linkage problem, worn gearbox mount, gearbox on its way out, or just the clutch

No, what happens is as the pedal box loosens up from the welds, it does get harder to change gears. As it did to me in Stockport one day then went to change gear again and just couldn't engage any gears and the clutch pedal had dropped. However, it had not fully failed on the pedal box, just enough so that it wouldn't engage or disengage the clutch.

The pedal box will be the problem, however, I've heard it can be caused by a heavy clutch which would mean it would be better to replace. Although, my box went, I re-welded it and it is not a heavy clutch as I could still use the clutch pedal with ease. Then it went again and I gave it a MAHOOSIVE weld, and it's been fine since.

If it goes again I'm gonna re-weld it and stick a huge bolt through. :)

So after all of that, if you didn't feel your clutch getting heavier, then just get the box welded up a lot better as it's only done with three spot welds at present for safety measures.

If you felt the clutch get heavier, it's time for a new clutch and might as well get a new pedal box at the same time.

No, what happens is as the pedal box loosens up from the welds, it does get harder to change gears. As it did to me in Stockport one day then went to change gear again and just couldn't engage any gears and the clutch pedal had dropped. However, it had not fully failed on the pedal box, just enough so that it wouldn't engage or disengage the clutch.

The pedal box will be the problem, however, I've heard it can be caused by a heavy clutch which would mean it would be better to replace. Although, my box went, I re-welded it and it is not a heavy clutch as I could still use the clutch pedal with ease. Then it went again and I gave it a MAHOOSIVE weld, and it's been fine since.

If it goes again I'm gonna re-weld it and stick a huge bolt through. :)

So after all of that, if you didn't feel your clutch getting heavier, then just get the box welded up a lot better as it's only done with three spot welds at present for safety measures.

If you felt the clutch get heavier, it's time for a new clutch and might as well get a new pedal box at the same time.

So it would be best to replace the clutch only then, since the mechanic did mention he will weld the pedal box if i just replaced the clutch, it will make the pedal lighter.

Thanks for your help

that doesnt sound like the pedal box to me.

when the pedal box fails, you have no clutch pedal anymore lol

surely just the clutch wants replacing?

has your clutch pedal dropped down or anything?

to me though, ad do more investigating. it could just be a gear linkage problem, worn gearbox mount, gearbox on its way out, or just the clutch

When i press down the clutch and try to change i gear i have to put more power in then usual, which suggests its the pedal box, the mechanic did check the clutch but only mentioned the pedal box as the main problem.

The gear box is fine there are no linkage, just having trouble changing gears especially in reverse, 1st and 2nd, sometimes 3rd.

Thanks for your help

That wouldn't suggest pedal box to me either, unless it was bending as you press and then springing back, but that is very unlikely.

It could be the cable being very dry, on a friends polo it got very hard so we changed the clutch and it was fixed.

That wouldn't suggest pedal box to me either, unless it was bending as you press and then springing back, but that is very unlikely.

It could be the cable being very dry, on a friends polo it got very hard so we changed the clutch and it was fixed.

Thanks for the info.

I've got a quote off £155 inc VAT from VW for the Clutch Kit.

How much would it cost to get the clutch fitted.

Thanks for your help

If your pedal box is dead then your clutch pedal will be lower than the brake pedal visually.

Sounds like the pedal box to me - happened on mine last year (mines a 2000 reg too). Took it to VW who said yeah its the pedal box. Apparently its the same part that was used on the GTIs and they recalled them to get it fixed although didn't recall the non-GTI models. They said as it was the same part that was known to have failed on the GTIs they would do it for free ) So maybe smile sweetly and they'll do yours for free too. Lukus

Hi i have been writing to VW and also called them and they wont help me with the problem - I need a new clutch pedal box.

Lukus

is there any chance you can direct me to the vw garage that fixed yours for free or a letter so i confirm to VW that they are fixing other models than the GTI's for free.

I am not getting this fixed ihave only had the car since Jan it is a 2000 1.4 E

My clutch pedal just kept getting heavier and heavier until it started grinding gears and I lost reverse. after some tinkering with the cable didnt work I changed the clutch and that sorted it out.

I just noticed after reading this thread that my clutch pedal is much lower than my brake pedal so I think my pedalbox is gone too.

Can anyone tell me how much they are and how hard to fit pls?

were are you

at snupnut

am still not convinced on the pedal being lower meaning your pedal box is fucked...ok maybe if the welds started to break, but most just snap with no warning.

others creak as the weld moves about.

it could be the clutch cable thats not set up right thats pulling the cable down?

I'm thinking lukus got it done under vw 100% goodwill, it will all depend on how old your car is, what mileage it's done and whether you have a full vw dealer service history. To do the job yourself is a bit awkward, takes a qualified mechanic about 3 to 4 hours. And if it is your pedal box that has gone it's most likely caused by heavy clutch operation and if you replace the pedal box without the clutch then this may occur again in the future. Hope this helps

I fitted a new clutch and cable last week and with the cable as tight as it will go the front wheels still spin round in gear with the clutch pedal depressed. I took a look at the pedalbox and I cant really see any bending or weld failure but the pedal is 2.5" lower than the brake.

I went to VW to order a new one and the parts guy said that it could be done under "good will" so I waited while he spoke to the warranty guy. He asked if it had a full VW service history (it has) then mileage (40,000) then he said it could be the clutch so I said I had just changed it and the cable. He then told me that if the car had been worked on by a non-VW mech then they would not do it under good will!

So I get the part on Wednesday and I'm going to fit it on Sat. I understand that I will have to chisel off 2 shear bolts to remove the steering colum but does anyone know what to replace them with - can I just use normal nuts n bolts or will I need to order VW shear bolts?

That wouldn't suggest pedal box to me either, unless it was bending as you press and then springing back, but that is very unlikely.

It could be the cable being very dry, on a friends polo it got very hard so we changed the clutch and it was fixed.

Thanks for the info.

I've got a quote off £155 inc VAT from VW for the Clutch Kit.

How much would it cost to get the clutch fitted.

Thanks for your help

Hi if you go onto euro car parts there are clutch kits on the website and pretty cheap...those anyone know where i could get a box?

I got mine from VW it was only £36 + VAT and I looked everywhere else first but £36 is not a bad price.

Just fitted mine yesterday its just a basic strip down of the steering colum, lower driver side dash about 15 connectors and of course the pedal box itself. There are 2 tricky parts though: the 2 shear bolts on the colum, I found it easier to drill them and use a screw extractor. Then there is the white ball joint plastic clip for the brake pedal, I just smashed it up and fitted a new one with the padal out of the car.

My clutch pedal sits much higher up now next to the brake pedal and the clutch is much easier to operate than before plus the gears go in every time...