Hi

I wounder if anyone can give me some advice I have a 2006 mk1 skoda fabia 1.4 tdi and when going into second gear it grinds like you haven't put the clutch down I've been told it's the synchromesh it been like it for a while but has gradually got worse I can get a gear box but is it a big job to do the skoda Haynes manual mentions supporting the engine as you have to remove some subframe bolts I will be working on it in my drive any help or tips would be welcome I've worked on cars in the past but this will be my first skoda fabia. With thanks Colin.

I wouldn't advise trying to do a gearbox swap on the drive, you really need a proper car lift and an engine support beam, perhaps you can rent a garage with a lift for the day but it's probably going to be quicker and cheaper just to pay a garage to do it.

Thanks for the reply to be honest I don't know anyone with a garage to rent and paying a garage to do it would cost more than the cars worth I brought it last year as a cheap run-a-round I don't really want to give up on the car as its needed and I can't afford to replace it at the moment with times such as they are. Anyway thanks again.

I did my 4x4 transmission working from a pit, it was a bit too heavy and cumbersome to have done on my back using axle stands, doable when I was younger and more stupid but you would need more height than standard axles stands would give.

 

I would have no hesitation doing a 2wd VAG transmission on the drive, there are some very good youtube videos of a guy who does mobile clutches doing them on his back on customers driveways, he doesn't even use an engine support bar but he knows exactly what he is doing, what to support and where.

 

I bought an engine support frame and having used it would consider it essential, it wil also serve as a support for ratchet straps to take the strain of lowering the gearbox if you have someone to help you who can be above to manipulate them, the gearbox is rather unbalanced and really needs a transmission jack attached with chains, not possible on a driveway and you will see the guy initially lower the gearbox on the trolley jack before rolling it onto his chest and down to the ground, you dont want to be doing that with the 68kg weight of a 4x4 6 speed transmission.

 

Because of the weight, that there wasn't really room for two of us in the pit (one should always be above in case of emergency) and the danger of the transmission falling 1.5m (we didn't have a transmission jack) or simply me trying to pass out a 68kg weight above my head or lower it to the bottom of a confined pit we chose to put a platform across the pit, jack the vehicle up so as to lower the transmission onto the platform and slide it out, so effectively it was removed in the same way as on a driveway using the same trolley jack and axle stands, I did have the advantage of standing upright though rather than lying on my back.

 

Both of us were over 60, at 30 I would have done it unaided.

Edited 21 May, 20224 yr by J.R.

12 hours ago, Jennings392 said:

Thanks for the reply to be honest I don't know anyone with a garage to rent and paying a garage to do it would cost more than the cars worth I brought it last year as a cheap run-a-round I don't really want to give up on the car as its needed and I can't afford to replace it at the moment with times such as they are. Anyway thanks again.

 

If you've got the tools and the talent then go right ahead, but if you don't have a high lift jack, engine support beam, axle stands etc. then you're going to find it nearly impossible without buying these things and by the time you've shelled out for all that and the new gearbox you might as well have just bought another Fabia that needs work and used yours as a parts donor.

Hi thanks for the replys yes I have a high lift jack  axle stands and engine support beam I was just wondering if anyone had done one and had any helpful tips. Thanks again Colin

12 minutes ago, Jennings392 said:

Hi thanks for the replys yes I have a high lift jack  axle stands and engine support beam I was just wondering if anyone had done one and had any helpful tips. Thanks again Colin

 

If you've got the stuff then it's a very straightforward job as gearboxes go, just be careful of damaging the wiring loom where it passes close to the gearbox, make sure you've tied all the wiring up out of the way before removing the last couple of bolts and lowering the gearbox to the ground.

Thank you for the advice I really appreciate it. Colin

Once the new gearbox is fitted some nice new gear oil and that should help the next gearbox last.

While the gearbox is out check the clutch and plate to see if there any good. But if a lot of wear stick a new clutch kit in that save money down the line.

 

Check the noise on the thrust bearing as well to make sure that's ok while the gear box is out.

Edited 22 May, 20224 yr by Kelly_Heroes

But how can you tell a nice from a nasty one?