....As subject, I have finally managed to kill my auto-box after 122k miles. 

Driving back from Dorset, I was about 40 miles from home, thundering along a dual carriageway, when the 'box changed down to second without warning - and would not, despite anything I did, change back up. I had to limp home avoiding the rest of the A34 and M4 at no more than 40mph so as not to rev the engine to buggery. All I have now are first and second gear - third and overdrive are gone, it seems ? 

I know an excellent auto-box specialist in Aylesbury, who can do a quality, warrantied full rebuild - he did my red Zed - and it would probably be done within a week.

I could finally go manual - and I know you'll tell me to do that - but how long would that take? Sourcing a 'box and ancillaries, then getting the car to Jimmer, as I won't trust anyone else to do it.....

I have disregarded the third option - buying an alleged low mileage second-hand auto 'box and having my local garage swap it out. Simply not worth the gamble, as that too, could fail within months....

Tough call - for me, anyway, as I still quite like the auto... ? 

Ooh, a dilemma, always good fun ? 

6 minutes ago, craig said:

Ooh, a dilemma, always good fun ? 

LOL - yup... ?

Biggest factor is the timing though.... As we all know, I like to use my Zed, so with the spring/summer almost upon us, I just want it back in service as quickly as possible ? 

 

I myself having owned a auto thought they were  great fun..yes not for everyone but as a big cruiser they are brilliant, is your Zed a standard uk Zed buddy? If so I’d stick with the auto box there getting rare  now they will be worth more in the future hope you get it sorted soon bud ?

In fact the guy who bought my impul auto !! Has just gone manual can you ask him what he has done with that auto box as it was low mileage  there’s nothing wrong with it, jimmer has just done the conversation for him 

I’m pretty sure he has a one piece prop for sale too that I put on the car supplied by jimmer 

Edited March 30, 20223 yr by gray

7 minutes ago, gray said:

In fact the guy who bought my impul auto !! Has just gone manual can you ask him what he has done with that auto box as it was low mileage  there’s nothing wrong with it, jimmer has just done the conversation for him 

 

I’d bite the bullet and go manual. But I’d only go manual with a brand new 98 spec gearbox. Much like buying a used auto box, although a lot less risk, a used manual box could also be plagued with synchro issues or the like.

I don’t know current going rates without googling but I know my Zeds previous owner spent £2.5k on the 98 gearbox including shipping, customs etc. Plus the clutch/flywheel another £1k, then pedals ancillaries and finally labour.

I guess then it comes down to available funds as such short notice!! as the rebuilt auto will probs be much cheaper and likely serve you well.

As time is key, I’d message CZP now and ask lead in times for the gearbox’s, as that might help in decision making.


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Hi Richard sorry to hear about the auto-box fail.

if ur happy with the auto & as u say can get a specialist rebuild then that appears to be a good option for u.

Any second hand auto could fail u,  as I had 3 fail me in two years!

That costly experience made me choose a manual change.

The manual does change the driving experience.

Good luck with getting ur Z back on the road.

Sorry to hear this Richard and I know how much you like your auto boxed Z so its going to be a hard decision in what way to go. You have had a lot of fun and hard driving with that box did it get any oil changes? either way its comming out and hope its back on the road soon mate.

15 hours ago, RichardS said:

I know an excellent auto-box specialist in Aylesbury, who can do a quality, warrantied full rebuild - he did my red Zed - and it would probably be done within a week.

This^^^ and then collect the manual parts at your leisure in case you have a change of heart in the future. You will always be able to sell them on if not.

Edited March 31, 20223 yr by AndrewG

10 hours ago, Gaz 300 said:

Sorry to hear this Richard and I know how much you like your auto boxed Z so its going to be a hard decision in what way to go. You have had a lot of fun and hard driving with that box did it get any oil changes? either way its comming out and hope its back on the road soon mate.

I do indeed Gary - and yes, I had the fluid changed three times in 13 years... Twice by Jeff and more recently by Jimmer in Nov19, around 6000 miles back. I have an upgraded Mishimoto oil cooler fitted too and until now, it's been faultless.... ? 

20 hours ago, gray said:

In fact the guy who bought my impul auto !! Has just gone manual can you ask him what he has done with that auto box as it was low mileage  there’s nothing wrong with it, jimmer has just done the conversation for him 

I’m pretty sure he has a one piece prop for sale too that I put on the car supplied by jimmer 

Thanks for the heads-up Gray.... I have spoken with the auto-box specialist and provisionally booked it in, in a couple of weeks time. However I had always planned to call Jimmer this week too, to see what he has available.!!

6 hours ago, AndrewG said:

This^^^ and then collect the manual parts at your leisure in case you have a change of heart in the future. You will always be able to sell them on if not.

As ever, Andrew, you are always the voice of reason..... I reckon I agree with you on this. ? 

On 31/03/2022 at 19:13, RichardS said:

As ever, Andrew, you are always the voice of reason..... I reckon I agree with you on this. ? 

So.... To update on my gearbox situation, I have gone for a slight compromise on my original thoughts and Andrew's suggestion.

I will certainly look to collect the parts for a manual conversion at leisure - albeit I will probably go for a new '98-spec box from the US when the time is right. My Zed has done 122k miles now, so my thoughts lean to combining the manual conversion with an engine rebuild in the future.

Which means for now, rather than spending over £2k on a full auto box rebuild - only to dump it for a manual in a couple of years - Jimmer is doing a swap. Dipone (Thanks Trevor) has Graham's Impul Zed and is selling me the auto 'box which came off it. My Zed is in safe hands with Jimmer, so I get it back on the road for the summer, with a couple of other little job sorted too. 

12 hours ago, RichardS said:

So.... To update on my gearbox situation, I have gone for a slight compromise on my original thoughts and Andrew's suggestion.

I will certainly look to collect the parts for a manual conversion at leisure - albeit I will probably go for a new '98-spec box from the US when the time is right. My Zed has done 122k miles now, so my thoughts lean to combining the manual conversion with an engine rebuild in the future.

Which means for now, rather than spending over £2k on a full auto box rebuild - only to dump it for a manual in a couple of years - Jimmer is doing a swap. Dipone (Thanks Trevor) has Graham's Impul Zed and is selling me the auto 'box which came off it. My Zed is in safe hands with Jimmer, so I get it back on the road for the summer, with a couple of other little job sorted too. 

You might want to order that transmission sooner rather than later. I believe availability is depleting fairly quickly.

10 hours ago, Funkysi said:

You might want to order that transmission sooner rather than later. I believe availability is depleting fairly quickly.

Thanks for the heads up Si.....?

On 28/04/2022 at 22:06, RichardS said:

So.... To update on my gearbox situation, I have gone for a slight compromise on my original thoughts and Andrew's suggestion.

I will certainly look to collect the parts for a manual conversion at leisure - albeit I will probably go for a new '98-spec box from the US when the time is right. My Zed has done 122k miles now, so my thoughts lean to combining the manual conversion with an engine rebuild in the future.

Which means for now, rather than spending over £2k on a full auto box rebuild - only to dump it for a manual in a couple of years - Jimmer is doing a swap. Dipone (Thanks Trevor) has Graham's Impul Zed and is selling me the auto 'box which came off it. My Zed is in safe hands with Jimmer, so I get it back on the road for the summer, with a couple of other little job sorted too. 

Glad you got sorted buddy