VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

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Werner Viviers
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VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by Werner Viviers »

Hi guys. I just like to know, is it normal for a FFZ 5spd gearbox differential to whine? Reason I'm asking is I recently acquired a 05 Citi 1.4i and I am surprised at how loud the gearbox differential is whining when traveling between 70-90km/h. It doesn't matter in which gear so it's probably the differential? As soon as I take my foot off the throttle or take it out of gear the noise is gone.

I have changed the oil this weekend with 2 liters of Castrol Syntrans 75W90 hoping to reduce the noise somewhat but it has made no difference whatsoever. I have checked the old oil when I drained it and to my surprise there were no metal shavings or any metallic particles in it. I'm a bit confused, surely if the diff bearings were worn there would've been shavings or glitter in the oil?

The car has only done 140 000km.

Please, any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.







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PapaJo
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by PapaJo »

The whine is not normal. How is the travel on clutch pedal? Are there enough play on the pedal to have clutch engaged in middle of travel on pedal, to rule out possible riding on the clutch and throw out bearing not releasing fully.
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Werner Viviers
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by Werner Viviers »

Thanks for the reply PapaJo. I will check the clutch pedal freeplay and report back.

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Werner Viviers
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by Werner Viviers »

Ok I have adjusted the clutch a little more slack and took it for a drive. Noise is still there and exactly the same. Pretty sure it's the diff bearings in the gearbox but still confused as to why there weren't any traces of it in the old oil..

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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by PapaJo »

Werner Viviers wrote: Mon May 21, 2018 1:34 pm Ok I have adjusted the clutch a little more slack and took it for a drive. Noise is still there and exactly the same. Pretty sure it's the diff bearings in the gearbox but still confused as to why there weren't any traces of it in the old oil..

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I’m afraid you have to take the box out and have it repaired or opened up to be looked at. Could be that gears are worn too or just bearings on their way out.
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Werner Viviers
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by Werner Viviers »

PapaJo wrote:
Werner Viviers wrote: Mon May 21, 2018 1:34 pm Ok I have adjusted the clutch a little more slack and took it for a drive. Noise is still there and exactly the same. Pretty sure it's the diff bearings in the gearbox but still confused as to why there weren't any traces of it in the old oil..

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I’m afraid you have to take the box out and have it repaired or opened up to be looked at. Could be that gears are worn too or just bearings on their way out.
Thanks PapaJo. I was afraid you might say that. It seems that these FFZ gearboxes aren't very durable? The car was never abused or raced in any way and is very well taken care of. I'm going to try and source a new box first. The parts guy at the vw dealer told me yesterday that they don't make these boxes anymore so I will have to find one somewhere else.

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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by RedBeard »

Werner Viviers wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 8:47 am
PapaJo wrote:
Werner Viviers wrote: Mon May 21, 2018 1:34 pm Ok I have adjusted the clutch a little more slack and took it for a drive. Noise is still there and exactly the same. Pretty sure it's the diff bearings in the gearbox but still confused as to why there weren't any traces of it in the old oil..

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I’m afraid you have to take the box out and have it repaired or opened up to be looked at. Could be that gears are worn too or just bearings on their way out.
Thanks PapaJo. I was afraid you might say that. It seems that these FFZ gearboxes aren't very durable? The car was never abused or raced in any way and is very well taken care of. I'm going to try and source a new box first. The parts guy at the vw dealer told me yesterday that they don't make these boxes anymore so I will have to find one somewhere else.

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Where you from? There is a guy that works at Goldwagen in Silverton that sells recon boxes. Got an AUG gearbox from him and it's still running 100%
Daily : 2011 Toyota Aygo 1.0 (Tiny)
Soon-To-Be-Project : 1981 VW Golf 2-door (Unikorn)
Link for slow build - viewtopic.php?f=11&t=208217

Ex : 2005 Hayundai Getz 1.3(Chuckie)
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by PapaJo »

You can buy a new box from GW. Price was about 7k a year ago.
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Werner Viviers
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by Werner Viviers »

PapaJo wrote:You can buy a new box from GW. Price was about 7k a year ago.
Thanks PapaJo. I will give them a ring.

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Werner Viviers
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by Werner Viviers »

RedBeard wrote:
Werner Viviers wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 8:47 am
PapaJo wrote:
Werner Viviers wrote: Mon May 21, 2018 1:34 pm Ok I have adjusted the clutch a little more slack and took it for a drive. Noise is still there and exactly the same. Pretty sure it's the diff bearings in the gearbox but still confused as to why there weren't any traces of it in the old oil..

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I’m afraid you have to take the box out and have it repaired or opened up to be looked at. Could be that gears are worn too or just bearings on their way out.
Thanks PapaJo. I was afraid you might say that. It seems that these FFZ gearboxes aren't very durable? The car was never abused or raced in any way and is very well taken care of. I'm going to try and source a new box first. The parts guy at the vw dealer told me yesterday that they don't make these boxes anymore so I will have to find one somewhere else.

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Where you from? There is a guy that works at Goldwagen in Silverton that sells recon boxes. Got an AUG gearbox from him and it's still running 100%
Thanks RedBeard. I am from George. Will phone them if GW in George can't help me.

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PapaJo
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by PapaJo »

You can also phone the engine importers. Some of them also sell second hand boxes and is cheaper.
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by RedBeard »

PapaJo wrote: Tue May 22, 2018 2:08 pm You can also phone the engine importers. Some of them also sell second hand boxes and is cheaper.
:iagree:
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Werner Viviers
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by Werner Viviers »

Thanks guys! It is much appreciated.

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Denton Japhta
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by Denton Japhta »

Hey Werner

Did you manage to sort out the whining problem? I am currently sitting with the same issue. Gearbox specialist are charging my head of to replace the diff bearings.

Any recommendations for a good gearbox specialist with reasonable pricing? I am in Bellville area.
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Werner Viviers
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Re: VW Citi FFZ Gearbox whine?

Post by Werner Viviers »

Hi Denton. I bought a brand new gearbox from japan auto trading and everything was nice and quiet again. I had the old gearbox checked at a gearbox specialist here in George and he told me the differential bearings were fine. The problem was with the pinion gear, it was showing signs of wear. Apparently it would've been very expensive to replace the gear so that's why I opted for the new gearbox.
Hope you get sorted.
Regards
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