CReese123

That makes sense as I am a weightless shifter (I put as minimal weight as I can into it), so I'm not used to shifting hard.... just to clarify 1st and 2nd double synchro? Does this apply to MK3 fabia? And that'll cause clunkiness and resistance? I thought synchros do the opposite. Same lol. I like to learn but obviously thoroughly read before trying anything new.. Popped by the garage yesterday too. They said possibly wearing clutch... I said no as it has a new clutch and was like this prior to the new clutch.. they then said it may just be a feature on the car (an unfortunate one at that). They basically said it's not advisable to throw money at it as it's not causing any issues right now... they said unless it causes further problems shifting I may just be assuming there's something wrong when there isn't. I also mentioned gear linkage reset/ adjustment... but they said there's no way to do it as they are factory set. I disagree with their last statement mind.

Hi bud can you give advice on the above video I shared regarding linkage adjustment? Is it really that straightforward?

Common fault - flywheel was recall so I had clutch done while I was at it as it went in with main dealer.

So would you suggest pulling back the springs and then allowing it to set itself bud; let it land wherever on the mechanism? I assumed you'd have to remove the slack yourself by hand before flicking the springs back out and into locking position. That being said, follow the guidance of the vid?

Reverse gear goes in no issues at all.

No I was not persuaded for the clutch change for the 1st gear issue. 1st gear issue was there before the clutch and flywheel change.

Yeah it was happening before the clutch and flywheel change. The clutch and flywheel change were unrelated to this gear issue I find myself having.

The clutch and flywheel are brand new. I'd be shocked if it's the clutch.

not a smooth 1st at all... very clunky to say the least.

As said, this is only at standstill, any sort of movement and gear selection eases in 1st. Down and up shifting is fairly normal and all other gears fine, including reverse. Clunkiness and resistance is when trying to select 1st gear and presents itself when halfway through selection (after going left from neutral and starting to push forward with the gearstick into first).

Notchy and resistant first gear selection at stop and standstill traffic. Don't have this issue when stop and start system is engaged because the engine cuts out and restarts. However, when stop and start disengages and the engine is on at standstill, going from neutral into first is clunky and resistant; rather annoying to say the least.

- Can you take a look if this is what you mean bud? Watched three videos along this line. Although all appears fairly simple, I struggle to see what changes are actually made? The guy retracts the springs, locks the transmission in place, then flicks the springs back out?

Do you have any ideas how much I'd be looking at or the amount of time it'd take? Also do you think they can diagnose if it is this issue? Also understand bushings etc can fail but I struggle to see how this can be anything major surely. Hoping a simple fix anyways

I'd read up on that but not something I'm overly familiar with. Had enquired with local garages about the possibility of this, but when they can't give a fixed or even rough quote on resetting the cables/linkages, I've been hesitant because I always thought this to be fairly straightforward for mechanics.

Fair point to note and I'll keep that in mind for future reference. Yeah, 5 speed.

Gear linkages all look good to me from visual inspection. Engine off and gears are all smooth. Start and stop helps at red lights. Start and stop turned off, 1st gear is crap when going from neutral back into 1st, in my opinion.

Anyone ever paid to have their gearbox opened to assess its condition? Unhappy with clunky 1st gear (only 25k on the clock mind you - not owned it from new myself) so am tempted to get the gearbox opened and assessed but am unsure whether it's financially worth having it opened up unless having work done at the same time. My thinking is though... how do you know what may or may not need doing unless its condition is assessed? Car is running etc, but for low mileage and a 15 plate I can't say I'm happy. Never had gearbox work done before so would have no idea what to expect, ask or where to start.

I changed the gearbox oil. Shifting is a tad smoother although the notchiness is still there and not budged much. Unsure whether to just roll with it? Obviously I don't know if there is a problem or not, and would not want to be wasting money unnecessarily . It engages gears etc. Just wish it was smoother that's all. I would not know where to start to get an opinion off of a technician even if I wanted one. And I'm assuming it'd be a time consuming and costly job even for a professional to inspect the system and tell me there's something or nothing wrong?

I'm terrible for wanting oils changed regularly. Often those who know me think I am mad to do so, but oil is vital and I don't believe the efficiency of oil is the same after prolonged use. More than likely it's what you say. I remember upon first purchasing I could not enter 5 gear. It turned out it's the first car I've had that does not like going all the way right and forward. Take it 90 percent right and it'll go in each and every time. Take it all the way and you get nowhere. Same as first gear. I noticed it likes going in straight so far and then if you wiggle and go further it works a treat each time with zero force needed. Maybe these are all quirks of the car but who knows.

All the above; I am picky and openly admit I can find a problem with anything (terrible flaw on my part I know). I don't clutch change awfully fast but just that I'm compelled to take my time I dislike. Although even with faster gear changes I've never been one to do rapid changes. Oh and it's my first diesel! Driven one or two briefly in work but not enough to get a feel of them. Always owned petrol myself. Also that's very good advice of you for the gearbox oil change and good practice too

I have drove one fabia before though it was few years ago so I cannot remember the feel if honest.

The feel when I am changing gears, I describe as; Shift from 3rd - pass neutral - feel slight one second or so (if that) momentary hesitation - then it'll go into 4th as intended. It does this in other gears too. Not 24 7 but almost.

Maybe hitting a brick wall is strong a word but notchiness is another word I'd describe also. It's kind of throughout though 5 gear is extremely smooth and downshifting does not really have this notchiness. Also going into 1st and reverse at a stop are also fairly smooth. I suppose I expected gear shifting is to be extremely smooth with a fabia. The notchiness is a 1 or 2 second interference between gears. In other words I can feel when I am changing gears? Would much prefer if it was smooth as butter and felt like a 1 way process. Well I drained a small amount of gearbox oil and topped it up. It appeared to have no bits and no different to what I expect gearbox oil to be. I don't struggle engaging gears at all. It is just a very displeasing feeling to have hesitation when changing gears... to feel like instead or slipping into gear it brushes against an obstacle or so along the way. Not sure if I am making lot of sense here?

Hi everyone.. May just be overthinking but has anyone with a 1.4 tdi experienced notchiness in gears? My car's a 5 speed manual. I've no issues selecting gears but it's not smooth as butter, if you get me. The process is kind of like this: shift from 3rd gear - move past neutral and into 4th - hit a brick wall - then 4th gear engages. I don't have to repeat trying to engage gears, it engages every time. It's just as though rather than the gears engaging A to B, I rather feel it's A-B-C, B being what I call the 'brick wall'. It doesn't just slide into gears. It's constant hesitation before it engages itself = a process that'll last a second or so if that. I'm don't ram the gears in neither. I wait for the hesitation to pass and the gears to engage themselves. Is this normal? Bearing in mind the car only has like 24k on the clock and the thrust bearing/clutch are in mint condition on being opened and inspected. - Chris.