Technical Squealing gearbox - struggles to go into first

[MellowYellowFlorrie]

Hey! I have a 1.1 2009 Panda (Florrie), 27500 miles on the clock, impeccable condition...until this morning.

I'll save you the sob story - basically, I had to emergency stop (middle of a roundabout, may I add). I then tried to pull away, unfortunately, due to the slight panic of being in the middle of a roundabout, I forgot to change from second to first. I tried to pull away, clutch slipped a bit, then changed down and managed to get the rest of the way around - with a horrible squealing noise coming from my gearbox. I changed back up, second then third, but she wasn't happy about doing that at all and put up one hell of a fight.

I got home and ran her up and down the road outside my house, trying to get her into gear. First was pretty much non-existent, I had no bite and nothing but squealing and whining, I could clunk the gearstick in though. Second was better, it didn't feel in but I had bite. The rest of the gears I could only test not moving, they seemed alright though...had bite at least.

Any idea what it could be? I'll admit, I have only been driving for a few months so I probably am quite clutch happy, shall we say, but otherwise, she's had no major issues.

Anyone have any ideas on what it could be? Should I just keep driving her and hope for the best? She's my baby haha.

 

[koalar]

If it's more like a grinding noise, a bit like a hammer drill

With the engine off try and select 1st

Then behind the battery move this lever over by hand

It's possible with my fat my arm but it only just fits and is uncomfortable without undoing anything

Neutral is vertical one way is 1st the way it already leaning if you have already tried to select the gear first, the other is second can't remember which way round they are

Often the gear selector PTFE sleeve has worn away


Fingers crossed as it's an easy repair

 

[Yolanda]

Sounds a bit like a release bearing failure especially when you mention squealing. Could be wrong though just a thought.