My 2004 Fabia (AWY) has started to make terrible noises that sound like something is about to break. They stop if I press the clutch. Based on this I was advised it is a failing gearbox rather than just the clutch or thrust bearing. I first noticed a mild hint of unusual noise about 13 years ago. It was deteriorating very slowly and there were no squeaks. Now at just shy of 100k miles it went from acceptable to terrible within maybe 50 miles.

A garage offered to replace the gearbox cheaply but I would need to buy it myself. Would someone please happen to know what part number I need and where to look? Also whether taking the risk that the new gearbox will not work if it even fits is a reasonable strategy.

I am willing to spend maybe £1000, and wondered if anyone had any recommendations. I suspect that Mr Clutch would be in that price bracket but I hear they are best avoided?

Many thanks in advance for any advice/help :-)

If the build sticker is still present and readable near/in the spare wheel well, it will have transmission code on the same line as engine code, I think.

Post a photo if you find it but aren't sure what you're looking at.

Edited 28 April28 Apr by Breezy_Pete

I would avoid Mr clutch. Have read of two instances where propshaft to Gbox bolts werent tightened properly or original were reused and catastrophic results. If the local garage is willing to swap gearboxes for a reasonable price I would go with them. If anything goes wrong they are local. You could try partsgateway or similar once you have Gbox number for a replacement. They send out to breakers etc and you get emails of prices. Google vw/skoda/seat breakers as well.

Alasdair

I have only once in my life used Mr Clutch, (thats because I have only ever needed 1 replaced).

Admittedly it was a few years ago with a Passat Estate 2.0tdi 140 mapped to about 186.

The car had done about 86k iirc before I noticed a slip whilst towing.

The were quick, did a good job, also told me that on my last cam belt change the Garage had failed to torque the fan belt pulley correctly, but they had done that as well.

30K later when I swapped for its younger brother all was still well.

This shows five different gearbox codes used with AWY or BMD (1.2 40kW) engines through mk1 production years. Any of them should be suited to your car, I believe. Searching ebay (or asking a scrappie) for e.g. "GSH gearbox" should provide hits, though I haven't tried that specific search as yet.

> Post a photo if you find it but aren't sure what you're looking at.

Please see attached. There are two slightly different versions of the sticker, one in the service book and a mouldy one in the boot. Looks like the gearbox code is just "GSH" (with the 9151 following it in the service-book being the paint code). That would also be consistent with the table you posted later. The suggested search term "GSH gearbox" seems to give appropriate hits on ebay, so I will double-check with the garage and try that. Many thanks for everyone's help, much appreciated :-)

I notice that sometimes there is a manufacturer's code, e.g. "02T300053D". Would someone please happen to know how that relates to "GSH" and where on my car to find it if it provides better information?

Edited 29 April29 Apr by jeremiah