after a few months of playing russian roulette with 3rd gear. ie it need nice firm decisive changes otherwise it made the most awful screeching noise. i cant get 3rd gear at all.

i' been told skodas are notorious for this. and i need a new box.

is there any chance it could be something cheaper and easier like the linkage?

Is it any better if you double-declutch?

Sounds like a worn selector fork or syncro.

try new rear wheel bearings.

you never know it might help

Bit confussed there Bengie, how would new rear wheel bearings solve a third gear problem on a front wheel drive car?

not sure myself but i thought i'd try thinking outside of the box for a change

after a few months of playing russian roulette with 3rd gear. ie it need nice firm decisive changes otherwise it made the most awful screeching noise. i cant get 3rd gear at all.

i' been told skodas are notorious for this. and i need a new box.

is there any chance it could be something cheaper and easier like the linkage?

Probably need a new or reckon gearbox. The gearboxes are not notorious for this, but some do fail. It will be a worn or broken syncro hub for 3rd gear. Cable adjustment makes most gears difficult to get, not just a single gear,

Perhaps the worst fault with these boxes, is the crown wheel on the diff is riveted to the carrier plate. If it lets loose, the bits shatter the gearbox casing. Several companies do a rebuilt version, using bolts rather than rivets on the diff crown wheel.