How to change out a Gearbox

00lk

I have a 96 diesel Vectra that is now parked up in the yard permanently. I want to change the driveshaft, the diff and Gearbox, more out of interest than anything. I have done some of the basics before but nothing this big. If I put it up on blocks will I be able to work away without the aid of a pit and lifts etc? I have the Haynes manual to start with

thanks

gbee

00lk wrote: »

If I put it up on blocks will I be able to work away without the aid of a pit and lifts etc? I have the Haynes manual to start with

thanks

IMO for the inexperienced, no.

Andrew Campbell

It is possible, the biggest problem is supporting the engine securely when you disconnect the mountings on the gearbox. Have fun and take care, gearboxes are heavy!!

kildare.17hmr

00lk wrote: »

I have a 96 diesel Vectra that is now parked up in the yard permanently. I want to change the driveshaft, the diff and Gearbox, more out of interest than anything. I have done some of the basics before but nothing this big. If I put it up on blocks will I be able to work away without the aid of a pit and lifts etc? I have the Haynes manual to start with

thanks

plenty of gearboxes been taken out while on blocks, just heavy is all and bit of a pain! if your just curious and wanna learn knock yourself out just take your time and enjoy!

R.O.R

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

plenty of gearboxes been taken out while on blocks, just heavy is all and bit of a pain! if your just curious and wanna learn knock yourself out just take your time and enjoy!

Personally, I'd try to avoid that

In all seriousness, I'd say that's one on the biggest risks.

kildare.17hmr

haha this is true!! but fortunatly never happened to me or my lot! Thats how i learned about cars, in friends sheds pulling old ones apart and then when we started throwin things round mondello we did all our own work as it was only for fun. Nothin wrong with havin a go yourself just make sure ya have some help for the lifting ect

Esel

00lk wrote: »

If I put it up on blocks will I be able to work away without the aid of a pit and lifts etc?

Do not use blocks! Get ramps or axle stands.

shamwari

IMHO opinion, gearbox out on one of those vectra's is a hard job in itself, and hardly justifiable in view of the car's age.

If you are replacing the gearbox, there are two or three different variants used - make sure you note the gearbox number (something like F14 of F15) before you got hunting for a replacement box. Those gearboxes are actually not bad, the only wrecked one I came across was one driven without oil.

Support the engine from above before you remove the gearbox. Use something like this

af_thefragile

Have a mechanic in contact so if you get stuck you can call him for help.

Apart from that it's a big job and you will need a lot of tools. I won't say it's not diy because you can do it but it involves taking apart pretty much whole of the front of the car. Remove wheels, remove drive shfts, catch gearbox oil, remove the many bolts that hold the engine and the gearbox. Support the engine on a jack. Drop the gearbox slowly using another jack and you've got it out.


It's something not for the faint hearted and you need to know what you're in for before you decide to start taking stuff apart.

So good luck if you're gonna go ahead with it. You'll learn a lot and you'll probably also curse and swear a lot!

af_thefragile

af_thefragile wrote: »

Have a mechanic in contact so if you get stuck you can call him for help.

Apart from that it's a big job and you will need a lot of tools. I won't say it's not diy because you can do it but it involves taking apart pretty much whole of the front of the car. Remove wheels, remove drive shfts, catch gearbox oil, remove the many bolts that hold the engine and the gearbox. Support the engine on a jack. Drop the gearbox slowly using another jack and you've got it out.


It's something not for the faint hearted and you need to know what you're in for before you decide to start taking stuff apart.

So good luck if you're gonna go ahead with it. You'll learn a lot and you'll probably also curse and swear a lot!

If I didn't know better it almost sounds like you have done one yourself :P

af_thefragile

I considered it a lot, found out enduring about how to do it, what tools I'll need and all... but at the end I took the safe route and got a mechanic to do it. Got my new clutch + slave cylinder and the cat's running brilliantly again. Though it has developed some idling issues which I'm trying to sort out lately...

Next summer I've got plans on rebuilding the gearbox which is gonna be very interesting... Though right now there is no need to do any of that as the gearbox seems fine. So according to the new priorities list idle problems come first then the excessive oil and fuel consumption problem and then the wooly breaks and finally rust and bodywork...

Mr Benevolent

af_thefragile wrote: »

So according to the new priorities list idle problems come first then the excessive oil and fuel consumption problem and then the wooly breaks and finally rust and bodywork...

Brake problems should come first, none of the other problems are safety issues.

af_thefragile

The breaks still work fine. They're just a bit soft. The only way to solve it is by getting new braided hoses and those performance brake pads which are sharper... Don't have the money for them yet so gotta wait a bit till I get the money to buy them.

The rest i can start working on right away hence the priority list...

aujopimur

Do NOT support a car on blocks,death or serious could result from them crumbling. :mad:.

af_thefragile

aujopimur wrote: »

Do NOT support a car on blocks,death or serious could result from them crumbling. :mad:.

I'll agree. Always use axle stands. They're not too expensive at halfords...