Modern tat Q - is this gearbox FUBAR (1.9d 2008 Seat Altea)

[Paul]

Neighbour came to me with her car making an awful grinding noise at pretty much every speed (although changing gear just fine)

I inspected and, sure enough, both drive shafts have split boots, grease everywhere, clanking when I turned them. So got a couple of driveshafts ordered.

Took one off today and found a huge amount of play in the output flange on the driver's side. The solitary 6mm hex holding it in was tight - so no play there - and when I undid it this fell out...



Whatever this bolts into inside the gearbox (which didn't drop a single bit of fluid) is bone dry and rattling around with finger pressure

Gearbox rebuild required? Or more likely a replacement?

[vitesseefi]

Get another gearbox. The diff bearings have collapsed. That’s probably what let the oil out, which won’t have done the rest much good.

Same gearbox is probably used in various other VAG product with the 1.9TDI. Should be a 3 letter (I think) code on it somewhere and ideally you need to match that, though sometimes other codes are interchangeable., just watch that the gear ratios are the same.

[Rich]

As said, the diff is done and the gearbox needs replacement or possible refurbishment but that may not be possible due to the amount of wear.

[Paul]

Cheers folks...I'll pass on the bad news 🙄