2004 GTI 1.8t 5spd, been grinding for a while.

[bwdidwhat]

Hello guys, I need some advice.

I've done a bit of searching and I've sure this topic has been beaten to death, but I would like a definite answer about my case directly.

I've owned a 2004 GTI 1.8t for a little over a year now. I don't drive like a kid, but every now and then I'll give it a kick when I'm running late or something. About a year ago, I started noticing a VERY subtle grind when I would shift from 3rd to 4th. Trying to replicate it (then, not now), it seemed to only occur when the tachometer was showing 3500 or higher in 3rd. I am always careful to fully depress the clutch pedal before I move the shifter. Regardless, it seemed to happen randomly. I ignored it, because I didn't have the funds to get it looked at by a pro.

A few months later, this same thing started happening when shifting 2nd to 3rd. At this same time, I started to notice that I was regularly missing 3rd about once or twice a week (I do not miss gears) when accelerating quickly (getting on the interstate, for instance).

Shortly after that, the car was having a hard time selecting reverse. I would press the clutch in, and when I would go to shift to reverse it would let out an obnoxious grind and jump slightly. I learned to adjust to this though. Now, when I depress the clutch, I can "feel" when reverse is going to grind as I start to select it. When that happens, I put it in the neutral, let off the clutch, and depress it again. Sometimes I have to do this 3 or 4 times, and sometimes I don't have to at all. But by doing this, the transmission does not grind at all when I select reverse.

You guys are the standard transmission gurus. I have a working knowledge of engines, but I know almost nothing about transmissions. What do you think? A very sincere thanks in advance.

Extra info:
~155k original miles (no rebuilds to my knowledge)
No modifications to transmission

[HGB]

Ok if the trans is grinding going into reverse then you might want to look at how well the clutch is working. The input shaft has to come to a complete stop so when reverse is selected it engages with little effort, if the input shaft is still turning during reverse selection then gear will grind trying to engage.
As for the forward gear grinds, can be the same issue, clutch not operating properly, or a worn/cracked synchro ring.

Check and verify the master cylinder and slave cylinder are on and the hose line connecting the two. Bleed the system if needed.

But from what you say, its time for a tear down of the trans for full verification.

[GTIwarrior]

OP any updates? I'm having the same issue. To be honest I'd like to use you as the test dummy so to speak.