Replacement dsg gearbox options

[Jons1001]

Hi everyone.

I'm fearing the dsg gearbox in my 2008 mk5 gti is on its way out due to bearing wear/failure. Was wondering if anyone can talk me through the options for repair/replacement as I'm struggling. From reading online it seems you can have the mechatronics reconditioned, the clutch pack replaced or the ECU reconditioned. Or all three together for a complete overhaul. See link below from Bristol gearbox centre;

https://milta.co/mobile-first-automatic-repair-gearbox-prices/

Now I'm not sure if the 6 speed dsg they quote for on here is the same as I have but it is £1700 for the full job doing which is a lot more than I can pay tbh.

If anyone has any advice on the process of what to do I'd be very grateful.

 I did find this thread from fellow forum member with the same symptoms as mine and it turned out to be a worn bearing which cost £650 to repair but I'd like to be as confident as I can be that what I'm paying for will fix the issue.

https://mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=91552.0

[Hypertuned]

How sure are you that it's the bearing on the way out and not something else?
Anything gearbox related won't be "cheap" because of the amount of labour involved to remove the gearbox before the diagnosis can begin.
That being said the DSG is a pretty reliable gearbox on the whole & the main weakness is the mechatronics unit, to what I have experienced/hear of/read about.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

[Jons1001]

How sure are you that it's the bearing on the way out and not something else?
Anything gearbox related won't be "cheap" because of the amount of labour involved to remove the gearbox before the diagnosis can begin.
That being said the DSG is a pretty reliable gearbox on the whole & the main weakness is the mechatronics unit, to what I have experienced/hear of/read about.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

Hi thanks for the reply. I'm only going by having the same symptoms as the guy in the thread I posted. After a long journey say 100 miles I sometimes get a loud almost scraping noise in first gear (sounds like a bearing on its way out) and also a knocking (funnily this sounds like it's from the rear though?) Also gearbox is jerky at low speeds but only after a long journey.

Now the previous few times the scraping noise as happened it stopped as soon as I put the car in neutral, but yesterday after doing 200 mile coming off the motorway to a stop it also made it in neutral...today I've done 60 miles town driving and everything fine no noises.

It's such a hard one to diagnose and like you say will be expensive :-( 

[Lewo]

I've seen peeps say to try getting another box for few hundred quid?

[Hypertuned]

How sure are you that it's the bearing on the way out and not something else?
Anything gearbox related won't be "cheap" because of the amount of labour involved to remove the gearbox before the diagnosis can begin.
That being said the DSG is a pretty reliable gearbox on the whole & the main weakness is the mechatronics unit, to what I have experienced/hear of/read about.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

Hi thanks for the reply. I'm only going by having the same symptoms as the guy in the thread I posted. After a long journey say 100 miles I sometimes get a loud almost scraping noise in first gear (sounds like a bearing on its way out) and also a knocking (funnily this sounds like it's from the rear though?) Also gearbox is jerky at low speeds but only after a long journey.

Now the previous few times the scraping noise as happened it stopped as soon as I put the car in neutral, but yesterday after doing 200 mile coming off the motorway to a stop it also made it in neutral...today I've done 60 miles town driving and everything fine no noises.

It's such a hard one to diagnose and like you say will be expensive :-(

Do you have a VW specialist nearby? I would get it checked out by a qualified technician ASAP. The longer you leave it the more damage might be caused.
That being said, if it only does it when changing gear or into neutral it might be a selector fork that's worn. The mechatronic might have reached its maximum limit for the shifter spacing, meaning its time for a gearbox service.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

[Hypertuned]

I've seen peeps say to try getting another box for few hundred quid?

Of you go this route remember to allocate some £/$/€ to have the mechatronic calibrated to your car.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

[Jons1001]

How sure are you that it's the bearing on the way out and not something else?
Anything gearbox related won't be "cheap" because of the amount of labour involved to remove the gearbox before the diagnosis can begin.
That being said the DSG is a pretty reliable gearbox on the whole & the main weakness is the mechatronics unit, to what I have experienced/hear of/read about.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

Hi thanks for the reply. I'm only going by having the same symptoms as the guy in the thread I posted. After a long journey say 100 miles I sometimes get a loud almost scraping noise in first gear (sounds like a bearing on its way out) and also a knocking (funnily this sounds like it's from the rear though?) Also gearbox is jerky at low speeds but only after a long journey.

Now the previous few times the scraping noise as happened it stopped as soon as I put the car in neutral, but yesterday after doing 200 mile coming off the motorway to a stop it also made it in neutral...today I've done 60 miles town driving and everything fine no noises.

It's such a hard one to diagnose and like you say will be expensive :-(

Do you have a VW specialist nearby? I would get it checked out by a qualified technician ASAP. The longer you leave it the more damage might be caused.
That being said, if it only does it when changing gear or into neutral it might be a selector fork that's worn. The mechatronic might have reached its maximum limit for the shifter spacing, meaning its time for a gearbox service.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

Yes there is but was wondering what they are able to determine from an inspection? I know the gearbox has had an oil change (service?) Around 10k miles ago.

[Hypertuned]

How sure are you that it's the bearing on the way out and not something else?
Anything gearbox related won't be "cheap" because of the amount of labour involved to remove the gearbox before the diagnosis can begin.
That being said the DSG is a pretty reliable gearbox on the whole & the main weakness is the mechatronics unit, to what I have experienced/hear of/read about.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

Hi thanks for the reply. I'm only going by having the same symptoms as the guy in the thread I posted. After a long journey say 100 miles I sometimes get a loud almost scraping noise in first gear (sounds like a bearing on its way out) and also a knocking (funnily this sounds like it's from the rear though?) Also gearbox is jerky at low speeds but only after a long journey.

Now the previous few times the scraping noise as happened it stopped as soon as I put the car in neutral, but yesterday after doing 200 mile coming off the motorway to a stop it also made it in neutral...today I've done 60 miles town driving and everything fine no noises.

It's such a hard one to diagnose and like you say will be expensive :-(

Do you have a VW specialist nearby? I would get it checked out by a qualified technician ASAP. The longer you leave it the more damage might be caused.
That being said, if it only does it when changing gear or into neutral it might be a selector fork that's worn. The mechatronic might have reached its maximum limit for the shifter spacing, meaning its time for a gearbox service.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

Yes there is but was wondering what they are able to determine from an inspection? I know the gearbox has had an oil change (service?) Around 10k miles ago.

They can use VAG-COM to check the mechatronics is working correctly and if it's reached the limit of it's travel tolerances, for shifting gears. A stethoscope to listen for bearing failure perhaps.
There's no harm in giving them a call for some free advise.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

[Jons1001]

How sure are you that it's the bearing on the way out and not something else?
Anything gearbox related won't be "cheap" because of the amount of labour involved to remove the gearbox before the diagnosis can begin.
That being said the DSG is a pretty reliable gearbox on the whole & the main weakness is the mechatronics unit, to what I have experienced/hear of/read about.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

Hi thanks for the reply. I'm only going by having the same symptoms as the guy in the thread I posted. After a long journey say 100 miles I sometimes get a loud almost scraping noise in first gear (sounds like a bearing on its way out) and also a knocking (funnily this sounds like it's from the rear though?) Also gearbox is jerky at low speeds but only after a long journey.

Now the previous few times the scraping noise as happened it stopped as soon as I put the car in neutral, but yesterday after doing 200 mile coming off the motorway to a stop it also made it in neutral...today I've done 60 miles town driving and everything fine no noises.

It's such a hard one to diagnose and like you say will be expensive :-(

Do you have a VW specialist nearby? I would get it checked out by a qualified technician ASAP. The longer you leave it the more damage might be caused.
That being said, if it only does it when changing gear or into neutral it might be a selector fork that's worn. The mechatronic might have reached its maximum limit for the shifter spacing, meaning its time for a gearbox service.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

Yes there is but was wondering what they are able to determine from an inspection? I know the gearbox has had an oil change (service?) Around 10k miles ago.

They can use VAG-COM to check the mechatronics is working correctly and if it's reached the limit of it's travel tolerances, for shifting gears. A stethoscope to listen for bearing failure perhaps.
There's no harm in giving them a call for some free advise.

Sent from my SM-N9750 using Tapatalk

Thanks that's useful info I will get it checked out. 👍

[Jb55]

Who done the oil change just wondering if they’ve used cheap oil or not filled it up all the way

[Jons1001]

Who done the oil change just wondering if they’ve used cheap oil or not filled it up all the way

Hi, it was all done by the previous owner. I know he is legit and only used genuine parts for everything he did. Just one of those things I reckon, the car is on 107k miles and the dsg has been serviced twice in that time so maintenance wise nothing wrong.

[Jb55]

Do you have a receipt/paper work for the oil and filter he used ? Surprised the box is having issues if maintained properly, anyway a second hand box would be the cheapest option.

[Jons1001]

Do you have a receipt/paper work for the oil and filter he used ? Surprised the box is having issues if maintained properly, anyway a second hand box would be the cheapest option.

Hi yes I have the paperwork all genuine parts from tps. I wondering if it would be better to buy a reconditioned box from a gearbox company or just risk a second hand one off eBay if it comes to needing a replacement. Suppose that will depend on cost and also availability of reconditioned boxes, any suggestions on this much appreciated.

[LC5F]

If you go second hand, a good and reliable (but the rub is with good service comes a higher price) - Stevens VW spares, they have been going for years https://www.stevensvwspares.com/vw-online-parts-shop

They list used boxes at £400 plus £50 delivery - no details listed on specific boxes or warranty - you would need to call them.

Ideally you need to confirm what box code you currently have - I may be incorrect, but seem to recall reading there was only the one code used on our Gti's.

Good luck fella, hope you get it sorted soon.

[Jons1001]

If you go second hand, a good and reliable (but the rub is with good service comes a higher price) - Stevens VW spares, they have been going for years https://www.stevensvwspares.com/vw-online-parts-shop

They list used boxes at £400 plus £50 delivery - no details listed on specific boxes or warranty - you would need to call them.

Ideally you need to confirm what box code you currently have - I may be incorrect, but seem to recall reading there was only the one code used on our Gti's.

Good luck fella, hope you get it sorted soon.

Thanks looks like a good site that. If it does come down to a replacement box though I think I would be more comfortable going to a gearbox specialist who can supply and fit or possibly do a repair as at least that way the labour is covered aswell if anything goes wrong which knowing my luck it will  overall cost will be a factor though. Also i have AA parts and garage so if I break down with it or it gets bad they will cover the first £500 of any repair which could be a big help.

I've found a few gearbox specialists in Kent so I'm going to ring them tomorrow and get an idea of costs for different scenarios...