Is my gearbox knackered?

az2wp0sye65487

Started to notice a weird 'humming' noise from the engine over the last couple of weeks, rather than a 'revving' noise.

Then, in the last couple of days, if I'm reversing and I put my foot all the way in on the clutch - instead of continuing to roll backwards the car jumps and then stops (as if the wheels have locked)

Also, if I'm reversing - it takes a couple of goes to get the gear stick into reverse, and you have to really push it. When I'm finished reversing, sometimes the gear stick stays stuck in reverse, and I have to pull it out

I really can't afford to be getting major work done at the moment. (ie. I'm BROKE!) Just worried that this is gonna cost an arm and a leg....

Any thoughts?

EPM

What type of car?

az2wp0sye65487

2003 Nissan Almera - Manual Transmission

Yep, sounds to me it is. The humming is the bearings severely worn. The hard to get in gear and the locking up while in reverse are signs it is well fecked. Quite possibly only a couple of miles left in it, it'll go any time. Depends on the make and model for a price really. 2nd hand gearbox from a scrapyard may be worth a try but the labour will be several hundred.

az2wp0sye65487

RoverJames wrote: »

Yep, sounds to me it is. The humming is the bearings severely worn. The hard to get in gear and the locking up while in reverse are signs it is well fecked. Quite possibly only a couple of miles left in it, it'll go any time. Depends on the make and model for a price really. 2nd hand gearbox from a scrapyard may be worth a try but the labour will be several hundred.

:(:( - Not what I wanted to hear! I had an idea though.... Is this as a result of the other half learning to drive recently?

mullingar

Probably didn't help it, but I reckon it was on its last legs anyway and your OH just hammered the last nail in its coffin

Adan Mealy Stammerer

Adan Mealy Stammerer wrote: »

:(:( - Not what I wanted to hear! I had an idea though.... Is this as a result of the other half learning to drive recently?

I wouldn't think so to be honest, your box issue sounds to be wear, unless the other half has been bringing the revs very high regularly they wouldn't be contributing to this wear.

I see tis an Almera, is it a 1.5 ? The bearings on them are common enough failure, they may be nylon caged like the Rover R65 box. Maybe not, but it's not uncommon. Many of them whine like feck. Defo nothing to do with the other half so don't be blaming her.

EPM

Ya bearing are fceked. Had the same problem. 3 choices - new, secondhand or a rebuild. Recent Nissans are known for transmission problems so I'd prob go with a rebuild as a secondhand one could be almost as bad tbh and new is just a ridiculous waste of money

az2wp0sye65487

Can anyone give a ballpark figure on how much this is likely to cost? Are we talking €500 - €600?? More?

More I reckon, €600 to €800 for a good recon'd one (or yours to be reconed), installed and a new clutch while they are at it. Might as well throw in a clutch while the box is out.

az2wp0sye65487

RoverJames wrote: »

I wouldn't think so to be honest, your box issue sounds to be wear, unless the other half has been bringing the revs very high regularly they wouldn't be contributing to this wear.

I see tis an Almera, is it a 1.5 ? The bearings on them are common enough failure, they may be nylon caged like the Rover R65 box. Maybe not, but it's not uncommon. Many of them whine like feck. Defo nothing to do with the other half so don't be blaming her.

Yep - 1.5. I won't go blaming her anyway! - Thanks.

RoverJames wrote: »

More I reckon, €600 to €800 for a good recon'd one (or yours to be reconed), installed and a new clutch while they are at it. Might as well throw in a clutch while the box is out.

I feel sick.

mullingar

This could be worth a shot:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/NISSAN-ALMERA-1-5CC-GEARBOX-REBUILD-KIT-/120622340466?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c15a6d972#ht_500wt_1154

A kit to rebuild your gearbox bearings




Edit:

This work is NOT for the faint-hearted

EPM

I paid just under a grand for a my rebuild. I didn't need a clutch as there was practically zero wear on it and they couldn't justify changing it.

This was still cheaper than the cost of the reconditioned boxes I looked at and better the devil you know is my opinion on these things.

az2wp0sye65487

I'm just back from the garage. One of the mechanics took me for a spin in the car to see what I was talking about.

He came to the conclusion that it is a bearing, like you lot said this morning.

Gave me a price to re-condition the gearbox.

Best case scenario: €1200
Worst case scenario: €1450

:eek::eek::eek::eek:

EPM

Where you based?

az2wp0sye65487

Dublin 11.

You know of any decent (but a lot cheaper0 mechanics in the area?

EPM

Try Naas gearbox centre for a quote - it will be a reconditioned unit but might work out cheaper. I don't know if they'd do a recon job on your box. Did your quote include a clutch? If there's a bit of mileage on the car it would make sense to replace this too when the box is out.

Also try Cork Gearbox Centre - if the car can make it down (only 2 and a half hours) it might be a good option as he's competitive enough in price terms. He can also arrange a loaner car.

PaddyFagan

Not really near you, but I used this guy recently to replace some syncro's in the gearbox of my Golf Plus - worked out at €700 including changing the cluch - the VW garage where talking about upwards of 2k for a re-con. (or should that be right con!)

http://www.walkinstownclutch.ie/index.php

Paddy

az2wp0sye65487

Cheers for the replies.

I called Mr. Gearbox/Mr. Clutch - got a quote for €700.

No mention of the clutch; but there's low enough mileage on the car.

Adan Mealy Stammerer

Adan Mealy Stammerer wrote: »

I called Mr. Gearbox/Mr. Clutch - got a quote for €700.

That seems about right in fairness Years back (2003 ish) I paid €800 for a reconditioned gearbox and a clutch for a Rover 214.

af_thefragile

Sounds like synchro rings.

My gearbox seems to be doing similar things but its still got a few years of life left in it...


Gearbox rebuilding is very expensive. Sometimes its cheaper just getting another used gearbox. Although a well rebuilt gearbox will be like new...

I have a plan of rebuilding my gearbox next summer but I have a feeling I might chicken out and just live with it...

Slogger Jogger

Always good to get a 2nd opinion. My local garage told me recently I needed a new gearbox (car was getting noisy and ponderous in 4th gear and higher) and quoted me 3 grand. Got a 2nd opinion and it was a wheel bearing problem c. 200 quid.

Worn synchro rings won't make the wheels lock up when reversing though.

az2wp0sye65487

Yeah so the gearbox was knackered after all. Left it in to Mr. Gearbox Mr. Clutch on Monday morning. They had it ready for me on Monday afternoon. They reconditioned the gearbox, and checked the clutch (which they said was fine).

€700.... Severely broke now! But it's better than my original quote anyway.

And... It's like driving a new car