'90 TSI AWD w/ 1st gear grind

[jimh]

I'm looking into buying a '90 TSI AWD but it grinds when downshifting into first gear. I was wondering if this is something minor or if it is something that should cause me to look for another car? I am willing to spend some time and money on it but not if it's a sign of major problems.

 

[OMN_DSM]

It's the sign of a DSM! How much are you looking to spend? You can send your tranny out and have a full race tranny for $1800. It all depends on your plans for the car.

Mike

 

[jimh]

Well, I wasn't looking to take the car to the track, more along the lines of a quick daily driver. What is the possiblity of changing out the gear oil to remedy the problem? Does that work or it is more of a temporary fix?

 

[OMN_DSM]

Oil may help, but there is a big possibilty that it is a clut problem also. The 1g's are notorious for the clutching system to act up.

 

[jimh]

It could be the tranny or the clutch system, so is a tranny rebuild the best way to go (would that cure either problem)?

 

[OMN_DSM]

A tranny rebuild will most likely cure the problem, and you re going to want to replace the clutch while you are in there. So after those things you should be good to go.

Mike

 

[jimh]

Out of curiosity, approx. how much should I be looking at for a rebuilt tranny and say an ACT 2100 clutch? In your first post you mentioned $1800 for a race rebuild, but I'm not going to drag, so how much for a regular rebuild?

 

[OMN_DSM]

Check out bmtranny.com , they are who I would go with, and they are cheaper than others and seem to have a quicker turn around time.

For a clutch I would recommend an ACT street disc with a Centerforce pressure plate, that is the best combo IMO. Or you could just go with the ACT 2600, it isn't as bad as alot of people say, I wouldn't go with anything less than these 2 on an AWD.

Mike