020 box broken?

I have a mk1 gti with a 16v engine using the original rod change gearbox.

I get a Knock when i change gear or suddenly accelerate. It is worse in the lower gears. It has progresively gotten worse to the state where it also makes a slight grind noise in first and second just after the knock.

I jacked it up one side at a time and spun the wheel back and forth. It felt ****. When i engaged first gear and tried the same thing there was about an inch of play in the wheel.
I have checked all the cv bolts and wheel bolts and all the bolts

Has my diff gone? do i need a new box?

Thanks

 

I'd check the condition of the engine and gearbox mounts first - when you change gear the whole lot might be moving and crashing about - can you rock the engine a lot in the bay? If yes then replace the mounts first to eliminate these.

 

Yeah, definately do the mounts first.

There is generally a bit of `slop` in the drivetrain, so I wouldn`t be too concerned about that at the moment.

If the grinding is still there after doing the mounts, I`d check the CVs. Excessive movement of the engine/gearbox due to duff mounts could have caused them to wear.

 

I dont think it is a CV joint because it would still make the noise if i was coasting, would it not?
I shall check the front and rear mounts tomorow. I know the rear one is new, but suppose it could have come loose.

Thanks for replys

 

Most commonly a knock on acceleration/gear change will be due to a knacked front mount. Generally only when reversing would you notice a problem with the gearbox mount.

And, yes, a worn CV would tend to make itself known most of the time.