speedo gear keeps getting eaten up

[Mike Carag]

wondering if I can pick at a few brains here...
Here's the situation:
I have a 97 tsi awd with a 99 gsx transmission. When I first got the tranny (manual), the speed gear (hard plastic) was all eaten up so I replaced it with a new one. I used the VIN off my 97 to get the new speedo gear.
Put that one in and the second I drive the car I can tell something's off.
Pull the new speedo gear out and the gear is all eaten up!

So I figure, okay I know they changed the gear ratios in late 97 so maybe thats it.

I find a VIN for a 99 gsx and find out there are two different speedo gears with different # of teeth on them. Wasn't sure which one to get so I get them both.

Install them...drive the car...ugh...I know it's off again.
Both of the gears got eaten up bad...

Anyone ever have anything like this happen to them or know of anyone? This is just messed up...I'm completely lost.
As nice as it is that I'm not racking up any km (Canada baby!), I'd really love to have my speedometer working.

Any ideas guys?

- oh, to add...not sur eif it matters, but the only thing I can think of is that after I install the speedo gear, I pop the car into reverse to go down the driveway...could this maybe screw with the lining up of the teeth? Also, when I install the gear, car is in neutral. Does any of this matter???

Thanks in advance

 

[bnpimpn]

when i replaced mine on my 95, i pretty much connected the wires onto the speed sensor assemble and pressed it down until it wouldnt go in anymore, and wiggled it to make sure. I havent had a problem yet...i also backed down the driveway afterwards...and i had the car in park the whole time.

 

[Mike Carag]

I've made sure that the assembly was well into the gearbox. I'm starting to think that the speed gear inside the tranny is actually messed up...which is no good...
ugh