5th gear went out

[icntdrv]

was driving down the highway and 5th gear just popped loose, and all i heard was a whirring noise coming from the tranny, no go.

1st - 4th worked fine, so i limped home.

Popped the cover off the end of the tranny, and everything looked whole. I engaged 5th gear, grabbed the brake disc and jerked. The bolt holding the small gear onto the shaft spun, but the small gear did not spin.

I do not have the T60 socket nor the gear puller to progress with this at the moment, but what are the odds that its the splines on the small gear that have stripped and not the splines on the shaft that have worn off?

[Frank M]

Originally Posted by icntdrv

what are the odds that its the splines on the small gear that have stripped and not the splines on the shaft that have worn off?

good (I hope)

Is the 5th gear the stock factory installed?
Some have changed the gear for less RPM while engaged.

[icntdrv]

I'm pretty sure the gears are stock. I've only had it a couple of months, though. RPMs are a bit too high at highway speeds to have been upgraded.

[Frank M]

Originally Posted by icntdrv

I'm pretty sure the gears are stock. I've only had it a couple of months, though. RPMs are a bit too high at highway speeds to have been upgraded.

please keep us posted.

[icntdrv]

It is not looking good at all.

I managed to remove the gear tonight. Splines on the gear look alright:



Which leads to a look up beneath:



Splines on the shaft are TOAST.

Looks like I'll be shopping for either a new transmission, or a Samurai for a TDI swap - whichever comes cheaper.

[spazz]

You Sir ran the tranny low in oil

I would also inspect the 5th gear needle bearing for damage

You should be able to pick up a used input shaft, for cheap, on the net ( Vortex should be your best bet)