So, a little after 6 weeks of having my car back I think its developing another wallet busting mechanical issue :helpsmilie:

 

I'm hearing too much from the gearbox recently. Particularly 2nd and 4th gear, which I'm guessing means there's a bearing going on that shaft? When I take it past 5 thou rpm in either of those gears i'm hearing a vibration/rattling noise which also transfers to the gear knob?

 

I was hoping it might just be in need of an oil change ('box oil) so I've booked it in at Zedworld next week. But after two spirited driving sessions yesterday I'm pretty convinced it's shagged. It also seems to be getting more prominant.

 

I know the synchros on the pre '98 cars are prone to failure, but it doesn't seem to be synchro related, the shift is still sweet enough and not difficult to engage - its once once the gear is home that the noise starts. Has anyone else had problems similiar to this?

 

Also at low revs in high gears (4th & 5th), it sounds like there's a lot of slack, not excessive vibration but pretty noticeable.

 

Finally - what are the options gearbox wise? A new '98 spec box is gonna set me back in the region of 1500-1750 imported and fitted. But I'd rather upgrade to a 6 speed box if it does need replacing. Yowser was on about the Borg-Warner box from the Camaro - has anyone done this conversion previously? I imagine its generally a ball ache process trying to sort the bell housing and prop shaft? What other options are there? Is it possible to rebuild the existing box?

 

Damn these bloody Zed cars with their swiss cheese mechanicals :crying:

Could well be the centre propshaft bearing mate, pretty cheap and easy to fix, does sound more likely, very common.... hope so anyways pal!

or even the gearbox mount, or a combination of the two...

Hi,

 

I just swapped my box out due to an issue with changing back down from 5th to 4th on the motorway..

if you want to rebuild you could either use it or swap it for yours and rebuild yours..

I was going to put it on ebay...

it will most likely be about £90 to transport it... if you want it make me an offer.. :)

Jimmer is also a gearbox specialist (manual only), why not contact him for advice.

Could well be the centre propshaft bearing mate, pretty cheap and easy to fix, does sound more likely, very common.... hope so anyways pal!

 

I did wonder about this, but surely it would do it in every gear - not just 2nd and 4th???

 

or even the gearbox mount, or a combination of the two...

 

will see if its possible to check the condition at Zedworld..

 

Hi,

 

I just swapped my box out due to an issue with changing back down from 5th to 4th on the motorway..

if you want to rebuild you could either use it or swap it for yours and rebuild yours..

I was going to put it on ebay...

it will most likely be about £90 to transport it... if you want it make me an offer.. :)

 

Will keep this in mind and see what the cost of a rebuild is - if at all it even needs it (but my guess is it will - lol).

 

thanks for the replies guys

Jimmer is also a gearbox specialist (manual only), why not contact him for advice.

 

Christ, at this rate I may as well just move into his spare room! Didn't realise though, so thanks for the heads up!

replacement box cant be too expensive. esp if you can raid one of an N/A. just swap it out for a better working one till you get round to refurb yours, if you do decide to

before you get too involved just check the rubber boot under the gearshift gaitor for splits - they tend to split & only open up in a certain direction causing noise transmission in certain gears!

yep, and it's usually 2nd and 4th that open the split due to the location of the stick when in those gears, good thinking batman...

agreed... and it makes a racket!!!! (or could have even just come loose...

replacement box cant be too expensive. esp if you can raid one of an N/A. just swap it out for a better working one till you get round to refurb yours, if you do decide to

 

I'm always wary of putting worn/used parts on to fix a problem.. Changed the gearbox on my sierra and ended up back where i started a few months down the line. But, given my annual mileage (low) - it could make sense.

 

before you get too involved just check the rubber boot under the gearshift gaitor for splits - they tend to split & only open up in a certain direction causing noise transmission in certain gears!

 

It would be nice if it was something so simple, but knowing my luck its more likely to be something more serious! Think I need to go for another drive and see if I can't narrow it down a bit more..

Well, apart from the synchros, (mine is a little crunchy from 1st to 2nd), the boxes are pretty tough, have you checked/changed the oil at all? Might be a good thing to drain and put in some Redline MT90, not cheap, but it's the best stuff for our boxes...

yep, and it's usually 2nd and 4th that open the split due to the location of the stick when in those gears, good thinking batman...

 

:batman:

Went for another drive this lunch time and I'm embarrassed to say, I might just be having a blonde moment.. The gearknob itself is vibrating, which is amplifying the noise 3 fold. If I keep my hand on the gear stick the noise is much reduced. That said, its still a noisy box - especially at low revs. I'll wait for a second opinion, but an oil change might be all thats required for a while..

 

Thanks anyway guys :thumbup:

Do you have a short shifter fitted matey?

 

Alz.

did you check the rubber boot gaiter hasnt poped off or split. almost every zed will do this onece in its life time. It makes a hell of a noise as if your gear box is going to blow up and even more so in 2nd and 4th gears as said :)

When Mikey first did the manual conversion on Roses, she was still working on her interior etc when she took it for a test drive, so it didn't have the rubber boots in at all, MY GOD it was noisy, thought the box was a duffer! Put the tiny little boot on, no noise at all. You'd be amazed! Check the boot! The boxes are whiney as hell when working fine!

I have taken the precaution of ordering a new dust boot for my impending manual conversion. Upper and lower are circa 25quid from MJP.

Will get this looked at - could be something to do with the gaiters.. I hope anyway!

 

Thanks for the replies.