Section : Gearbox

Gearbox - notchy when hot

Posted By : Andrew Szczecinski, 03-Jun-2006, 06:51pm

• Gearbox - notchy when hot

  Posted By : Aidan Cunnane, 03-Jun-2006, 09:33pm

  Hi Andy,
  
  Gearbox oil level would be the first thing to check - if you have access to axle stands and a suitable oil can with bendy spout, a top up is not that difficult without tunnel removal. If your gearbox is low on oil this can be detected by a noticable increase in the gearstick temperature which can be unscientifically tested by touch - a 'full' gearbox will have a noticably cooler gearstick temperature. A top up is a very cheap alternative to a rebuild. I'd keep a dedicated oil can for gearbox oil as it the oil seems to damage the pumping action of the can - it also saves mixing oils.
  
  Aidan

  • Gearbox - notchy when hot

    Posted By : Carl Tebbs, 03-Jun-2006, 10:04pm

    Hi
    
    I hae had the same gearbox problem on my Vitesse since I got it 5 years ago. The oil level is ok, and I have replaced the bushes on the gear linkage with no change to the stiffness. It is fine for the first 10-15 minutes of driving, but after that I need to knock it out of one gear into the next. The stange thing is that the side to side movement also becomes stiff, so I don't think that it is a problem in the gearbox itself.
    
    Carl

    • Gearbox - notchy when hot

      Posted By : Chris Taylor, 04-Jun-2006, 02:07pm

      IF (big if) the problem is with the remote control linkage, then it's not too difficult to swap the whole "top" of the gearbox, just making sure you use the right one (ie for a 4 synchro gearbox).
      However, I would be most surprised if the problem lay there.
      I had this problem some years ago with a Vitesse 1600. My memory is a little hazy now (was over 15 years ago!) but I think the problem was only realy noticeable with second gear, so if ALL your gears are difficult to engage, then the problem could well be elsewhere. The problem turned out to be one of the synchro hubs whose splines were misshapen. I never did find out whether the problem had been cause by wear, some incident, or a botched previous repair.
      However, topping up the gearbox with oil is a no-brainer for a first "look" at the problem!
      Then looking at the remote linkage unit on the top of the gearbox is easy enough. You could even remove it from the gerarbox and see whether there is anything obviously wrong with the selector forks. However, judging wear on them is not so easy visually. They always look worn, but may well be capable of many many years further use.
      
      All the above can be done without taking the gearbox out of the car.

      • Gearbox - notchy when hot

        Posted By : Andrew Szczecinski, 05-Jun-2006, 10:58am

        Thanks Gents!
        
        Check the oil level sounds like the first place to start.
        
        
        Andy