Gearbox woes...

[supersingle]

Recently there's been a bit of a whining sound coming from the gearbox on deceleration, especially in the low gears.

Anyway, I thought I'd start by changing the oil in the diff and gearbox. All went ok apart from the appearance of what looked like a chewed piece of bearing cage stuck to the magnetic drain plug of the gearbox.

The car is as 1990 1.6 Eunos with 160k on the clock. Anyone have any idea? Is it going to eat itself? Advice gratefully received.

[Munter]

I dont know enough about 'boxes. But if it is dodgy I have to say my 1st port of call would be everythingmx5 or mx5heaven and ask them how much for a replacement.

Then get a quote for fix or fit the replacement and choose the cheapest option.

[supersingle]

Yeah, I've been thinking about getting a used gearbox as they are fairly cheap. Expensive to get fitted though. I'd have to do it myself which could prove challenging.

[MadaboutMX5s]

on my silver mx5 i have a whine like noise coming under deaccelration. turned out it was the diff. i upgraded to a torsen and it cured the problem. however i am running a turbo so kind of knew this would be the problem.

also when was the oil last changed in the diff or gearbox. my other mx5 has run better since this was done.

[supersingle]

I changed the gearbox and diff oil today. It has made it a little smoother and quieter. If it stays as it is I'll be happy but I'm not convinced that it will. Bits of bearing cage rattling around the gearbox has got to be a bad sign!

Could be a good excuse to go for a six speed gearbox.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I'd ignore it until it becomes a real problem. If the gearbox does die then rather than buy a replacement, buy a whole car and strip it for parts. Keep the gearbox for yourself and sell the rest and it will probably pay for itself.

[OnlyMX5ives]

Second hand boxes are available from £50 as not many people need them.

6 speed really isn't an advantage without its matching diff.

[fr3n2y]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I'd ignore it until it becomes a real problem. If the gearbox does die then rather than buy a replacement, buy a whole car and strip it for parts. Keep the gearbox for yourself and sell the rest and it will probably pay for itself.

OR-

Sign up for AA recovery, any package, pay an extra 6.99 a month for Parts Cover, then when the gearbox goes they'll replace it with a brand new one and all you pay is the excess, currently 25 quid... Happened to me with my alternator, although I had a couple of problems with the garage who fitted it, AA's service was exceptional...

[supersingle]

Still working.

I'm starting to think it may have been down to low gearbox oil level. There's a bit of a leak and I'm fairly sure that the 'box has been apart before due to the amount of sealant sticking out of the joins.

Yes, my Eunos is a bit of a lemon, but I still love it!