C5 manual gearbox replacement

[SeeFive]

Hi guys

Anyone got the "book hours" for replacing a C5 gearbox and clutch? I have a box, just working out whether to DIY or pay the man.....

Cheers!

Kev.

[GO55 USA]

Its a good days work on a ramp,make sure you replace the hydrollic release bearing while your at it ! good luck.

Edited by GO55 USA on Friday 8th May 18:47

[SeeFive]

GO55 USA said:

Its a good days work on a ramp,make sure you replace the hydrollic release bearing while your at it ! good luck.

Edited by GO55 USA on Friday 8th May 18:47

Many thanks Ian - by the way, YHM

[C5RagTop]

Kev - try Whitequay - you're more or less in the middle of both their Corvette Service Centres.

[vetteheadracer]

Clutch on the C5 is a bd as it is located in the bellhousing at the back of the engine but to remove the driveshaft the simplest way is to drop the whole rear axle assembly i.e. gearbox, diff, etc.
Why do you need a new box? I have never heard of there being a proplem with them? What is wrong with yours?

[SeeFive]

C5RagTop said:

Kev - try Whitequay - you're more or less in the middle of both their Corvette Service Centres.

Hi Rich. I was just trying to get a labour ballpark to decide whether to dust the tools off or not. At less than 2 days, I can't really be bothered skinning my knuckles and getting my nails dirty.

I've got a local proper old-style motor engineer who looks after mine for normal servicing (and a C3), but I am not sure he has done a C5 box before. So, thinking that it might take him some time, I was considering dropping it to a reasonably local specialist like Ian, or indeed Whitequay. Whilst it was on his hoist on Saturday (MOT), he ran through the process of replacement with me (which seemed about right technically), and came up with a similar estimate to Ian.

vetteheadracer said:

Clutch on the C5 is a bd as it is located in the bellhousing at the back of the engine but to remove the driveshaft the simplest way is to drop the whole rear axle assembly i.e. gearbox, diff, etc.
Why do you need a new box? I have never heard of there being a proplem with them? What is wrong with yours?

Old age Nigel. I've had synchro problems for a while now - double declutching has been the order of the day above third up and down the box. On a particularly spirited session way into 3 figures a couple of weeks ago (obviously on a track officer), fifth finally decided to hide itself completely from the selectors.

We are at 125,000 miles now, was gonna do a rebuild, but as this happened, and a lowish-miler box has appeared, a swap out is probably more economical. Whilst its all down, it would be silly not to put a clutch in. Depending how it looks inside, I might rebuild my original box anyway cos someone is bound to need one at some time - or I might at 250,000 miles!

By the way, spotted on the web a practice where you can just about get enough room to get the clutch out by sliding the box/diff back with the torque tube still attached to the front of the box to save the hassle of dropping it all - it's tight, but apparently can be done.

[vetteheadracer]

hope the C6 box lasts that long

It is very useful to know that 125K is the life of a C5 box as I am guessing there are quite a few UK cars that will hit that sort of mileage over the next few years. Perhaps you could do a how to article for the mag with some pictures?

[eldudereno]

Yes, a good days work with air tools etc. I removed my whole drivetrain at home last year in order to replace a leaking clutch slave cylinder, so along with installing the later improved slave cylinder I would also recommend installing a remote bleeder for the clutch. Also don't forget to install a new pilot bearing.