I've just bought a '62 Beetle. Everything is OK. Only one problem it's got, it grates as you change back into 2nd gear. It doesn't grate changing up, just when I change back from 3rd gear to 2nd. It also jumps out of 2nd, just when you get it into 2nd. Hold it in 2nd, once it's in, and it stays in gear without jumping out.
Anyone got any ideas?
Regards,
Mark:cry

The Gearbox is Stuffed! Second is always the first to go, then forth will start to go. Is second jumping out under acceleration or when slowing?

my forth gear has been jumping out for around a year now. not all the time, sometimes only under loas going up a steep hill. second is allright though. just put an occy around it to keep it in on long runs. He He He

Sounds like it's in the later stages of wear & tear, but so long as there are no grinds & moans, it will go for a while yet. Teach yourself to double clutch when you go down to 2nd. Real early beetles had crash boxes (ie no syncromesh) & drivers had to do it all the time,up & down, but in these days of slush boxes, it's a dying art. Just in case you don't know what I'm talking about, from 3rd, step on the clutch & pull it into neutral & keeping light pressure on the gear stick over where you want it to go, release the clutch, blip the accelerator, (with practice, you'll be able guess how many revs are required) step on the clutch & then push it into 2nd. With lots of practice, you can even do it without the clutch! It may also be reasonable to consider an additive to the trans oil. Good luck!

[Edited on 20-4-2003 by geodon]

Is it the grating or the jumping that means its shagged?

Mine has started to grate when going from 3rd to 2nd but doesnt jump.

I have noticed that it doesn't do it when I press my clutch RIGHT to the floor but 1/2 centimeter up and it does.

Is it just an adjustment prob ?

Its both Fatboy

The jumping out is probabally more serious.
The grating on downward changes is/are the synchro gears.

"they always go!"

"I have noticed that it doesn't do it when I press my clutch RIGHT to the floor but 1/2 centimeter up and it does. "

In your case it sounds like adjustment.

How much "free play" do you have?

If you press lightly on the clutch pedal, you should have about 3/4" free play. Any more and you need to take up the slack (easy job- just turn the nut)

Go check and tell us what you find

:thumb

Thanks for the reply - I have just driven ~1800 km so I 'm off to bed.
Will check it out tomorrow - cheers

WHOA! - in a BUG?

Course not it was a kombi - with a pop top strapped to the roofrack - see VW pic of the week.

When mine started jumping out of top, I had about six weeks before it just wouldn't select it at all.
I can only imagine it depends on how many miles you do. I do a hell of a lot.

The ocky strap to hold it in works, but once it won't select your stuffed.
& it's a long way to anywhere in third......

Syncros and sliders are on the way out. If it is left to long the gear chain will be damaged. It will then start costing $$. Suggest splitting the case open to inspect as soon as possible. I bet the first thing you see are bits of floating metle. As old mate said 2nd is alwase the first to go due to it high load during stoping and accelerating. :cry