Gear box fault, 4 reverse gears

Hi all, Nearly got my car completed, however have now got it up and running, sweet! Went to go on a quick road test, only to find I have got 1 forward gear, which is where reverse should be and 4 reverse gears in positions 1,2,3,and 4th. The gearbox has been rebuilt. This is really confusing me, need some help!!! pleeeease!!

Sounds like the rebuilder flipped the pinion gear (i.e. ring gear moved to the other side of the pinion). Know when using the rear mounted 914 tranmission in a front mount situation - it has to be flipped or you end up with 5 reverse speeds. Sounds like he is new to VW transmissions?

Or you got a trans meant for a Spyder, has to be that way for us mid-engine guys.

The sad news is I think it has to come out to flip it back, but I could be wrong. I hope you can pull the axles and flip the diff in the car, that would be MUCH easier.

Ive got a vw trans fitted, is it possible to fit the diff in from the wrong side then???

You got it Darren....Danny and I had this mod done in order to use the VW tranny in our Spyders....

Does your transaxle have one side cover, or two? If there are two, it should be fairly easy for a mechanic familiar with VWs to flip.

It's been a while since I've worked on a VW with factory transaxle horns but, If I remember, the horn's are in the way and you'll have to remove the engine/transaxle to facilitate the ring and pinion swap.

If your car is built on a different chassis that has no obstructions on the side (approximately 12" of unobstructed clearance) then you may be able to swap the ring and pinion without removing the engine/transaxle.

Got the car on a ramp to have a look, and yep the chassis horns are really in the way!! Looks like the engine and trans are coming out, doh! I love my car dearly, but this one step forward and ten back is wearing me down!!

If you have a friend with a lift in the shop you can do it over a weekend If not find you some helpers it can be a bear all by yourself , Pullin the carbs and droppin the engine is bad enough If its a swing you need a man on each drum and a third in the middle with the case on a floor jack, rolling it out

If its IRS you need to ubolt the axles from it and then pull it still touchy but not quite as bad.

I feel for ya Darren. I know the fustration well...

Is the car IRS or swing?

Yep, the diff was installed from the wrong side of the trans....

Its a simple fix, but requires disassembly..

Yelp I remember when you had your 4th gear reverse ride. that was a scary/funny story.