"new" gearbox - now how do we keep it alive?

[Johanna]

Hey! We were in fact off on a weekend camping:

which went well (albeit very slowly up some of the hills...)!

I didn't see the gearbox working before as the engine was already out of the van, but as 5-speed box seem to be like gold dust, I was glad to have found one, especially for a good price.
I did think about getting it reconditioned but got quoted 920 quid which was more than we wanted to spend.

There are no whining noises or anything, it's just difficult to get into first sometimes, and out of reverse (always). I have to admit I haven't actually driven it myself, but have been watching my boyfriend struggle at traffic lights occasionally!

As for getting a second professional opinion, we did have the recovery guy look at it (and get slightly stuck under our lowered van with his beer belly...) and he seemed sure it was the gearbox.


Anyway, thanks for all your advice! I think we'll just keep driving it and start worrying again if anything gets worse...

[HarryMann]

There are no whining noises or anything, it's just difficult to get into first sometimes, and out of reverse (always). I have to admit I haven't actually driven it myself, but have been watching my boyfriend struggle at traffic lights occasionally!

That doesn't sound like the box at first reading, sounds like the lnkages are set up wrong, and having enjoyed a holiday away in it, unlikely to be the clucth dragging, although worth re-reading and doing some basic checks. I'm sure someone local from the club could pronounce fairly quickly after a drive. There's quite a few down there in Bristol.

If the box does go into gear eventually with a bit of gearlever waggling and drive OK thereafter, I'd say its not the box, problems like this usually get worse quite quickly if its the box. Could always be wrong though.

One suggestion is to drain the oil in the box and check for wear particles and larger bits coming out, through a muslin cloth and looking on the magnetic drain plug. Don't forget to refill it

Nice to know you weren't at the kitchen sink all this time, anyway, and that you got back OK

[ermie571]

it's just difficult to get into first sometimes

as is our camper....I was recommended that when first wasn't available, engage 2 then straight up into first! Whether this takes 'em by suprise or it lines the linkages up in some sort of balck magic fashion, I have no idea, but it works every time! Don't know what you do about reverse though....


Glad you had a good holiday!

Emma

[HarryMann]

Don't know what you do about reverse though....

On a syncro select 'G' gear and then straight across to Reverse...

The more I hear on this the more I would swear it's not the box (with the usual getout clause )

Its surely just clashing against the detent and the centre spline joint wants adjusting by one or one half spline (sometimes seems possible, believe it or not) or there's worn parts in the linkages.

Is the lever a bit further over to the left or right than you would expect?

Maybe consult these Wiki articles:

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/wiki/index.p ... _improving

http://www.club80-90.co.uk/wiki/index.p ... air_Kit_01

[OLD ONE]

Press down harder when selecting

[HarryMann]

Definitely one for the Wiki!