Megane RS265 LSD Gearbox whine

Megane RS265 LSD Gearbox whine

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Discussion

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

65 months

Saturday 23rd April 2022
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Hi all,

Im having some symptoms of failing bearings in my 2012 Megane RS 265, it's the LSD box. Basically I'm getting creaking/knocking at pull away and stopping, and a whine that increases in volume and pitch as I speed up. Garage also mentioned my gearbox is knocking when they had it up on the ramps...

Does anyone know somewhere close ish to Cambridgeshire that are able to either fit a reconditioned box or rebuild mine, and what the cost would be?

Found a company in Accrington that would fit a reconditioned LSD box for £1k, but that's a near 4 hour drive away...

Any help is appreciated.

Cheers,
Ben

shaun442k

262 posts

203 months

Tuesday 3rd May 2022
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Beaniesport in Milton Keynes if you haven't sorted this already.
No idea on price but even if it's too late for your gearbox he's well worth a visit for other issues and servicing etc.

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

65 months

Wednesday 4th May 2022
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shaun442k said:
Beaniesport in Milton Keynes if you haven't sorted this already.
No idea on price but even if it's too late for your gearbox he's well worth a visit for other issues and servicing etc.
Getting it sorted with a few other jobs at AW Motorsport. Confirmed gearbox bearing issue, and on top of that I'm having a new clutch and clutch damper delete as its peeing out fluid.

June will be expensive!

Zarco

18,491 posts

216 months

Thursday 5th May 2022
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How many miles on your 'box out of interest?

Mine went on around 20k. 2016 Megane 275.

Done about the same on the replacement now.

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

65 months

Thursday 5th May 2022
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74k, but I don't know if it's been rebuilt from previous owner.

Mines an early phase 2 265.

Ben Lowden

6,522 posts

184 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Tuesday 24th May 2022
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Xenoous said:
Getting it sorted with a few other jobs at AW Motorsport. Confirmed gearbox bearing issue, and on top of that I'm having a new clutch and clutch damper delete as its peeing out fluid.

June will be expensive!
Exactly what I had done on mine, along with a new clutch/flywheel/clutch damper delete at AW. For anyone interested in cost – the gearbox rebuild was £1200 which included removal/refitting although that excludes clutch/flywheel that'll almost certainly be worth changing at the same time. My bill was closer to £2400 as they rebuilt my front calipers for me as well as fixing a couple of other issues.

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

65 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
quotequote all
Ben Lowden said:
Exactly what I had done on mine, along with a new clutch/flywheel/clutch damper delete at AW. For anyone interested in cost – the gearbox rebuild was 1200 which included removal/refitting although that excludes clutch/flywheel that'll almost certainly be worth changing at the same time. My bill was closer to 2400 as they rebuilt my front calipers for me as well as fixing a couple of other issues.
Christ, how do you still even like it. Ever since I got this car it's been nothing but a complete PITA. The few occasions its been ok, its put a smile on my face, but I'm struggling with it now. It's either going to stay with me for a year, and if trouble free we'll see from there, or it's being sold. Jury is out. I really wanted to love this car. It drives great, but reliability is just ridiculously poor.

Mines having gearbox rebuilt, clutch (hopefully I don't need a flywheel), clutch damper delete, aircon condenser replaced, creaking from the front being investigated (doesn't appear to be the ball joints/bushes). Probably something like top mounts at this point.
In the last year I've to have the turbo off as a bolt snapped, replaced recirc, ball joint, thermostat, discs and pads all round, tyres. I get its all part of car ownership, but its grating. I suppose it doesn't help the wife has only just returned to work. Finances are stretched wafer thin right now.

Just hope I get some enjoyment out the car over the summer now...

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

65 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
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Forgot to add it still needs to have the oil breather gasket replaced, but I'll likely wait until it needs the cambelt doing, next year...

Ben Lowden

6,522 posts

184 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Tuesday 24th May 2022
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I've spent over £4k on mine since September 2020 with the above, belts, brakes, tyres etc but I absolutely love it and for the money, there's nothing that comes close for me. It probably helped that I bought the car expecting to have to rebuild the box after reading about it, so factored that into my purchase price.

I usually change cars every 6-12 months – I'm 20 months in now and can't see me selling mine anytime soon. Although perhaps that is partly to do with how much I've spent on it in the time I've had it hehe

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

65 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
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I think our expenditure will be similar once I get my belts and gasket sorted. Glad you're enjoying yours.

I'm going to try get out for some early morning drives and perhaps some Renault meets in the near future. Will hopefully get to finally get to use it for the reason I purchased it for, to enjoy driving...

If not it's being flogged for a shed!

MK4-RS-SPORT300-2022

291 posts

276 months

Tuesday 24th May 2022
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Xenoous said:
I'm going to try get out for some early morning drives and perhaps some Renault meets in the near future.
I'm up for this! We need an RS Megane summer blowout !!! I am west london based & have a couple of great RS friendly routes in the SE I know pretty well which are a great mixture of tight twisty b-roads & some long straights with sweeping corners.......all perfect for RS Megane's!

Ben Lowden

6,522 posts

184 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Wednesday 25th May 2022
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Getting out for a good drive is the perfect antidote to frustration from big bills. I took mine to Wales just before having the 'box rebuilt and it reminded me why I bought it in the first place.

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

65 months

Thursday 26th May 2022
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Annoyingly I've just seen a Mazda3 MPS come up for the same money I'd expect to be able to trade mine in for. I'm going to get the box, creaking and air con sorted before I make any decisions, but I'm certainly tempted.

But I think you're right. I purchased this car for a reason, to really enjoy driving. I'm going to give it a chance, and go from there. Right now, it just feels like it's sucked the fun out of what should be a cracking car. However I'm nearly over the upcoming expenditure, and I'm just looking forward to getting it back, and taking it for a blast through some of Suffolk's finest.

Not long now, surgery is on June 6th...

NelsonM3

1,718 posts

178 months

Tuesday 9th August 2022
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I've just bought one of these and hoping to get it to AW for a service and cambelt.

I've only countless performance cars and after loosing my Boxster to a house move last year been searching for another car to quell my thirst for fun. I took this, albeit slightly ropey, trade in for a drive and knew I had to have it biggrin

It has multiple issues ; AC is also not working (although that doesn't bother me, I'm a windows down man) and vibration at idle which I'm hoping is the gearbox mount and not the flywheel!

Ben Lowden

6,522 posts

184 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Tuesday 9th August 2022
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NelsonM3 said:
I've just bought one of these and hoping to get it to AW for a service and cambelt.

I've only countless performance cars and after loosing my Boxster to a house move last year been searching for another car to quell my thirst for fun. I took this, albeit slightly ropey, trade in for a drive and knew I had to have it biggrin

It has multiple issues ; AC is also not working (although that doesn't bother me, I'm a windows down man) and vibration at idle which I'm hoping is the gearbox mount and not the flywheel!
Welcome to the club! My AC has now packed up too, tried to get it regassed but it's leaking so having that looked at next week. Vibration at idle could potentially be an uprated gearbox mount, or just one that's knackered as you say. I'm sure Alex will be able to tell you either way.

NelsonM3

1,718 posts

178 months

Tuesday 9th August 2022
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I’ve been trying to get hold of Alex for two weeks. I’ve been told it can take a while to get hold of him smile

Xenoous

Original Poster:

1,457 posts

65 months

Tuesday 9th August 2022
quotequote all
Welcome to RS ownership, it ain't cheap! However Alex is brilliant. Message AW Motorworks on Facebook. Seems to be better at responding there.

I never updated this thread, but after a new clutch, flywheel, gearbox rebuild, clutch damper delete and a nice bill the cars running great again. Like you all though, my airbcins also gone. Alex confirmed it as a condenser issue. £250 to sort.

Zarco

18,491 posts

216 months

Tuesday 9th August 2022
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My AC is going strong (touch wood!!).

Ben Lowden

6,522 posts

184 months

PH Marketing Bloke

Wednesday 10th August 2022
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Xenoous said:
Welcome to RS ownership, it ain't cheap! However Alex is brilliant. Message AW Motorworks on Facebook. Seems to be better at responding there.

I never updated this thread, but after a new clutch, flywheel, gearbox rebuild, clutch damper delete and a nice bill the cars running great again. Like you all though, my airbcins also gone. Alex confirmed it as a condenser issue. £250 to sort.
Glad to hear it! Just not on the AC front...

NelsonM3

1,718 posts

178 months

Sunday 4th December 2022
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Full service, driveshafts seals, oil breather seal, gearbox oil change and cambelt replaced by AW. Great service!

I’ve probably been spoilt by German cars over the years. But I do find the gearbox a little notcier than I’d expect. It almost feels as it I have to either change at higher revs or be a bit more forceful. Is this normal? I wonder if the linkage maybe needs some adjustment?