Gearbox is dead :(

[james_swimmer]

Hi all,

My car feels as if it is skipping teeth in the grearbox, some big clunks, especially when turning right. This suggests to me it is the differential, the RAC chap thought the same thing.

I'm based in Plymouth and have rung around for a few quotes of complete gearbox rebuilds.

Cornwall and Devon Transmissions
£595 - rebuild
£200 - removal and refitting
£30 - fluids
+ VAT

Renault Dealer
£799.31 - service exhange box
Unsure on removal and refitting

Does anybody know of any other gearbox specialists in the south west?

Also how hard is the removal and refitting? I'm used to classic cars, and have done engine changes, and cylinder heads etc, should i be thinking about doing the work myself and just paying for the rebuild?

I have had circlips go recently which i think might've worn the teeth on the back of the 'planet?' as it has been pushed out. But as the car still drives i'm inclined to think it is not the circlip that has popped again.

Any help much appreciated, is it possible to just fit a new differential? Prefereably a bolt in circlip style?!

Thank you for your help,

James

 

[Gally]

Not the worst price in the world to be fair, maybe pm Fred and see what he thinks.

 

[Budgie]

Buy a second hand box and fit it yourself.

Not the hardest job in the world if you've done bits like that already..

 

[muld]

This is what I paid for the parts when I had mine done

Gearbox rebuild - £385
Clutch - £117.86
Misc Bolts/Nuts/Washers/GBOil/TieRod - £20.10
Engine Mount - £34.70
Gear Selctor - £36.73

Obviously it depends how bad your box is, mine was ubber shagged (dif failure++)

I'd advise against buying a second hand box, I did that first and that died after 3 months...

 

[james_swimmer]

Yea i'm not a fan of the second hand box idea to be honest, i don't want to risk it.

I'm starting to think that removing and refitting it myself might be the best idea, although i do know somebody that might be able to do removal and refiting on the cheap.

WOuld the gearbox rebuild include a bolted style circlip?

 

[Tony Hunter]

Based in Worcester, Agency have specialised in automotive gearboxes and transmissions for over 40 years. Able to offer repairs, full rebuilds and exchange units. We found their services to be exceptional.

Agency Transmissions
Unit 17k Shrub Hill
Worcester
WR4 9EL
01905 24896

Take box to him,he has everything on the shelf for Clio boxes,and he is quick.

He also knows about the mod for the circlip problem.
Mention Burpspeed to get a even better price

 

[james_swimmer]

Thanks Tony,

I've explained the problem, he said that to replace all the diff parts it'll be £250, worst case complete gearbox rebuild £425.

I'd be happy with just the diff as otherwise the gearbox feels great, but i suppose you can't really tell until the box is off.

Sounds like I'm going to have some fun evenings this week!!!

Also he said they machine a bigger groove for the circlip by 0.5mm or so, and that they're never had any problems with circlips after that. Sounds like a suitable solution rather than drilling to fit a bolted plate.

 

[Edd]

I was charged for 15 hours labour to remove my box, strip the box, replace one bearing and a seal, fit a new clutch and put box back on.

 

[Chesh]

Does anybody know of any other gearbox specialists in the south west?

http://www.thegearboxspecialists.co.uk/

 

[Tony Hunter]

Thanks Tony,

I've explained the problem, he said that to replace all the diff parts it'll be £250, worst case complete gearbox rebuild £425.

I'd be happy with just the diff as otherwise the gearbox feels great, but i suppose you can't really tell until the box is off.

Sounds like I'm going to have some fun evenings this week!!!

Also he said they machine a bigger groove for the circlip by 0.5mm or so, and that they're never had any problems with circlips after that. Sounds like a suitable solution rather than drilling to fit a bolted plate.

Only glad to help,he does know his stuff,built our race car box no problem.Would be worth the trip.

 

[scotty2hotty81]

pull the n/s shaft out and check the bearings on the end before going down the gearbox route.

 

[james_swimmer]

pull the n/s shaft out and check the bearings on the end before going down the gearbox route.

I will have a look at the needle bearings but i can't imagine how they could skip, surely they're either working or they're not. The car can still move which suggests to me it is not these.

 

[stu-172]

Also check the socket on the passenger driveshaft. The splines round off in it and you lose drive. Happened to mine, had the new box sitting and didn't need it! You can buy a new sleeve from renault for £6 and fit it to the shaft! The part's not listed for the 172/182, but is the same on a megane!

Mine still drove and clunked really badly in reverse. I thought it was the diff also.

 

[ABOO]

I was charged for 15 hours labour to remove my box, strip the box, replace one bearing and a seal, fit a new clutch and put box back on.

Who did yours Edd? Local?

What was total of that then? Did you consider just buying an exchange box...

Now my search has begun need to be aware of gearbox issues..

 

[james_swimmer]

Ok, thanks for your help I will check both the driveshafts before i start dismantling bits to get the gearbox out.

Think I'll be using a combination of the guide written by ben_p and a haynes manual for a standard clio...

So I'm thinking my worst case total costs will be:

£425 - complete gearbox rebuild (if needed)
£60ish - courier both ways
£40 - gearbox oil
£priceless - the pain in the arse of actually doing some work myself
£1.00 - that new superglue plaster stuff for skinned knuckles!

Total = £526 - not too bad, still a kick in the teeth considering i've had the car three months and its broken down 3 times, friday afternoon car?!

 

[.GAZ.]

I had the exact same problem on my old ph2 172, was definatley the diff. I thought it was a fucked cv or driveshaft..

Wasn't a cheap repair!

Me perdsonally, i went for a full box rebuild and a new clutch while the box was out. Made more sense!

 

[Jcs]

I had the same choice of rebuild from Cornwall and Devon Transmissions rebuild or reanult box.
And around the same time scale 3months after buying

I drive past the company every morning and its quite a small place, not heard much about them. But always seem to be busy.

I bought my box 800quid for renault in the end. + new clutch aswell which box was out

I wouldnt buy a 2nd hand box as you dont know the full history of it and it could go pop again which would be more ballache and coule cost more money than a new box in the future.

 

[james_swimmer]

I had the exact same problem on my old ph2 172, was definatley the diff. I thought it was a f**ked cv or driveshaft..

Wasn't a cheap repair!

Me perdsonally, i went for a full box rebuild and a new clutch while the box was out. Made more sense!

Yea thinking the same thing, I don't want to put it back in and a week later one of the synchros gives up. Yea and the clutch is a good idea, not a problem when the box is out i assume? That pushes the cost up another £100 but then i don't have to worry about that going.

I've also heard bad things about the renault service exchange boxes, i think the rebuild is the safest option. Mainly as i'm starting to really enjoy the car so would like to keep it for a while.