Phase 1 gearbox trouble

[GT_Leah]

Hi, I am having no luck with this car. My gearbox or diff is making a clicking/metallic noise when jacked up and spinning the wheels. It clicks like a CV joint when turning right. This is why i think it is the diff.
It all sounds expensive, but in the meantime is there a gearbox i can put in to replace it? I mean out of any other clio or renault? I just want one that will fit with the right splines for the shafts.
Any gearbox options info is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[NorthloopCup]

Hi, I am having no luck with this car. My gearbox or diff is making a clicking/metallic noise when jacked up and spinning the wheels. It clicks like a CV joint when turning right. This is why i think it is the diff.
It all sounds expensive, but in the meantime is there a gearbox i can put in to replace it? I mean out of any other clio or renault? I just want one that will fit with the right splines for the shafts.
Any gearbox options info is appreciated.

Thanks

They all make a noise when they’re jacked up, so I’d advise that you drop the oil out of it and make sure the oil has no debris/particles in it.

The gearbox code you have is a jc5 089. You ideally want another one of those, or a 129 - this gearbox has a speedo drive as does your 089. I can’t comment on what other jc5’s have a speedo drive though I’m afraid.

Is the gearbox making any noises/whining when you’re driving it?

 

[GT_Leah]

hi,
its got new oil in it as i was doing the passenger driveshaft but the new one was 20mm too long!! so it was empty when i took that off. i thought it was the cv joint clicking but it seemed fine when i removed it. i thought it could be the diff clicking like a cv joint when i turn right.
so when the car is jacked up and i spin the wheels by hand, the bottom of the gearbox sounds like a whirring noise, this happens on both sides. there was a small drone noise like a wheel bearing coming from it too when i drive.
i think it has just been abused before i got it
i was out in it today, its so difficult to pin point the noise as it is stripped out and noisy.

 

[NorthloopCup]

hi,
its got new oil in it as i was doing the passenger driveshaft but the new one was 20mm too long!! so it was empty when i took that off. i thought it was the cv joint clicking but it seemed fine when i removed it. i thought it could be the diff clicking like a cv joint when i turn right.
so when the car is jacked up and i spin the wheels by hand, the bottom of the gearbox sounds like a whirring noise, this happens on both sides. there was a small drone noise like a wheel bearing coming from it too when i drive.
i think it has just been abused before i got it
i was out in it today, its so difficult to pin point the noise as it is stripped out and noisy.

Right ok fair enough. Well there’s a strong possibility that there’s an unhappy bearing in there then if you can hear a droning noise.

Unfortunately these cars were built in the knowledge that they were going to be abused.

But the diff will make noises when it’s jacked up.

 

[GT_Leah]

okaies thanks, thats good to know about the diff noise being normal. 🙏

 

[GT_Leah]

hi, im going to the nurburgring and my diff is noisy on over run. its now making a buzzing vibrating noise from high revs ( its coming from the footwell) . i have 2 weeks to get a gearbox, otherwise its gunna be stress. i could just take it as it is buy knowing my luck im best to fix it.
will any jc5 gearbox fit? i see some are for hydraulic clutches, some cable.
i don't car about ratios, or speedo £100 mph is fast enough for me. I just wanna get one quick and put it in.
the other question is, since it is the diff. can i buy a jc5 box and just fit the diff?

thanks again guys any help here is appreciated. i think i have replaced everything on this car in 6 months and its still a pain in the a$$

 

[NorthloopCup]

hi, im going to the nurburgring and my diff is noisy on over run. its now making a buzzing vibrating noise from high revs ( its coming from the footwell) . i have 2 weeks to get a gearbox, otherwise its gunna be stress. i could just take it as it is buy knowing my luck im best to fix it.
will any jc5 gearbox fit? i see some are for hydraulic clutches, some cable.
i don't car about ratios, or speedo £100 mph is fast enough for me. I just wanna get one quick and put it in.
the other question is, since it is the diff. can i buy a jc5 box and just fit the diff?

thanks again guys any help here is appreciated. i think i have replaced everything on this car in 6 months and its still a pain in the a$$

I’ve got a 089/129 gearbox that I can rebuild and supply if you’re still looking for one?

 

[GT_Leah]

thanks but, i can just get my own one rebuilt. it was more a question if i could fit a random box from a 1.2 or similar for £150 sort of thing.

renault things

thanks

 

[NorthloopCup]

No worries 👍🏻

Well you need one with a speedo drive.

 

[GT_Leah]

my thought is to risk it and get it fixed when i get back

i had it on the ramp 2 days ago and noticed if i spun the passenger wheel, the shaft coming out the diff on the drivers side moves in and out as its rotated. i took both the shafts out and there is end float and when i push it in, its a clicking noise as i rotate. if i pull it out, it seems to mesh mesh better. i know thats probably confusing what i have just wrote. the diff clicks but seems to still be working? who knows what is wrong with it lol.

i would take it out before but just seems such a huge job with the cradle etc

 

[NorthloopCup]

my thought is to risk it and get it fixed when i get back

i had it on the ramp 2 days ago and noticed if i spun the passenger wheel, the shaft coming out the diff on the drivers side moves in and out as its rotated. i took both the shafts out and there is end float and when i push it in, its a clicking noise as i rotate. if i pull it out, it seems to mesh mesh better. i know thats probably confusing what i have just wrote. the diff clicks but seems to still be working? who knows what is wrong with it lol.

i would take it out before but just seems such a huge job with the cradle etc

You’ll probably find that the diff is worn internally - namely the planet gears have worn into the casing. It’s boot unusual to see tbh, but it means you’d need a new diff regardless.

I know the exact noise you’re describing and I can confirm the noise when up in the air is normal. As is the driveshaft moving in and out whilst rotating.

The noises you need to worry about on a jc5 are rotational noises when driving. 9/10 that means the mainshaft bearing has failed and you’re on borrowed time.

 

[GT_Leah]

ah cool, thats good to know. i have clicking, sounds like a cv joint when it is on hard lock and a slight whiring noise when its cold driiving in a straight line. i know its borrowed time and have just accepted. it still drives fine but i expect it to break down any second!

good to hear the input from an expert, i have spoke to loads of people and they are really unsure what is wrong.

all i know is it does need fixed, and im booked up for germany. so we are going regardless, i might get there i might not. i might get back or i might not?

from what you are saying, i do think the main shaft bearing has failed and its now causing all the other issues

thanks

 

[GT_Leah]

made it! these gearboxes dont break!