Frequently Asked Questions.

A few of the questions we’re most often asked about gearbox rebuilding, shipping, warranties and upgrades.

Do you offer a warranty on rebuilt gearboxes?

Yes. Qualifying gearbox rebuilds are covered by our 24-month unlimited-mileage warranty, giving you peace of mind that we stand behind the quality of our work.

If you experience a problem after the warranty period has ended, please still give us a call. We’ll always be appy to discuss the problem and help where we can.

Full Warranty Terms & Conditions →

What gearbox oil should I use after a rebuild?

For most standard VW gearboxes, we recommend a good-quality EP80W-90 GL-4 or GL-4/GL-5 gear oil. Avoid oils marked GL-5 only unless specifically recommended for your gearbox.

For performance VW gearboxes, or if you simply want to use the best oil we recommend, we use Swepco 201. We also recommend Swepco 201 for Porsche gearboxes that we rebuild.

If you’re unsure which oil is suitable for your gearbox, please contact us before filling it.

How do I pay, and do you require a deposit?

Payment can be made by bank transfer on completion or cash on collection. We don’t currently accept card payments, which helps us avoid card processing fees and keep our prices as competitive as possible.

Once your gearbox is completed, we’ll email you an invoice with our bank details for payment.

If we’re building a gearbox to order, a deposit will normally be required before work begins. If we’re rebuilding your own gearbox, no deposit is required — we consider the gearbox itself to be the deposit.

How long does a gearbox rebuild take?

Our normal lead time is approximately 4–6 weeks, although this can vary depending on our current workload, the condition of your gearbox and the availability of any parts required.

Do you need my gearbox first, or can you supply an exchange unit?

We always prefer to rebuild your own gearbox where possible. This avoids potential fitment or compatibility issues and means you know exactly what gearbox is going back into your vehicle.

We do keep a small selection of core gearboxes, so in some cases we may be able to build an exchange gearbox or supply one outright. Please contact us to check availability.

A deposit will normally be required for an exchange or outright gearbox. No deposit is required when we’re rebuilding your own gearbox.

Can I send my gearbox by courier?

Yes. Please contact us before sending your gearbox, and make sure it is clearly marked with your name and contact details so we know who it belongs to when it arrives.

We can also arrange collection by pallet courier if required. The gearbox will need to have the oil drained and be securely attached to a suitable pallet.

Any collection and return shipping costs can simply be added to your final invoice.

Do you fit gearboxes?

No. We specialise in gearbox rebuilding, repairs and upgrades, so we don’t offer a gearbox removal or fitting service.

However, we work with many VW garages and specialists throughout the UK, so depending on your location, we may be able to recommend someone who can remove and refit your gearbox for you.

Can you build a ‘Freeway Flyer’ gearbox?

Yes. We can offer a variety of gear ratio upgrades to suit your engine, tyre size and how you use the vehicle.

We can build the traditional ‘Freeway Flyer’ ratio combinations, or tailor the gearing specifically to your vehicle — including options beyond the conventional Freeway Flyer setup.

You can also use our Gear Ratio & Speed Calculator to compare different ratios and see how they affect road speed and engine RPM.

What gear ratios should I choose?

The best gear ratios depend on your engine specification, vehicle weight, tyre size and how you intend to use the vehicle.

Taller gearing can reduce engine RPM when cruising, but going too tall can leave the engine struggling, particularly in campers and heavier vehicles.

We’re happy to advise on a suitable combination for your vehicle rather than simply fitting the tallest gearing possible. You can also use our Gear Ratio & Speed Calculator to compare different options.

Will taller gearing make my VW run cooler on the motorway?

It can, if the gearing is correctly matched to the engine and vehicle. Taller gearing reduces engine RPM at cruising speed, but gearing that is too tall can increase the load on the engine while also reducing cooling fan speed, which can actually increase engine temperatures.

As a general guide, we normally aim for around 3,000 RPM at typical motorway cruising speeds, rather than simply fitting the tallest gearing possible.

The ideal gearing will depend on your engine specification, vehicle weight and tyre size.

Can you build a gearbox for a modified or high-powered engine?

Yes. We regularly build gearboxes for modified, high-performance and competition vehicles, from mildly tuned road cars through to much more powerful applications.

The specification can be tailored to suit the engine output, vehicle weight, tyre size and intended use, with upgrades to gearing, differential and other internal components where appropriate.

Whether you’re looking for stronger components, different gear ratios, an LSD or a complete performance build, contact us with the details of your vehicle and engine and we’ll advise on the most suitable options.

Do you rebuild Brazilian Bay VW gearboxes?

Yes. We can repair and rebuild Brazilian VW gearboxes where required. However, due to the quality and known limitations of some of the original Brazilian components, we cannot offer our normal warranty on these gearboxes.

Where possible, our preferred solution is to build an original German VW IRS gearbox, modified to suit the particular engine and installation used in the Brazilian Bay.

This gives you a better-quality gearbox and, unlike the Brazilian unit, is covered by our normal 24-month unlimited-mileage warranty.

My gearbox is noisy — can you tell what’s wrong before stripping it?

Sometimes. The type of noise and when it occurs can often give us a good indication of what the problem may be, but it isn’t always possible to accurately diagnose an internal gearbox fault without stripping and inspecting it.

Most importantly, if your gearbox is making a noise it shouldn’t, stop using the vehicle until it has been investigated. Continuing to drive can turn a relatively straightforward repair into a much more expensive one.

We’re always happy to discuss the symptoms with you first and advise on the likely cause and the best next step.

Do you use genuine or aftermarket parts?

We use the best-quality parts available for each particular gearbox and application. Depending on the gearbox, this may include genuine VW or Porsche components, high-quality aftermarket parts, or specialist performance components from Weddle Industries, for whom we are a UK stockist of many of their transmission parts.

We source parts from all over the world to obtain the best components available, and we also hold a large stock of good-quality used original parts for older gearboxes where new components may be difficult or impossible to obtain.