After just over 60,000 miles my gearbox appears to be on the way out: lots of whining noise especially in 2/3/4 gears between 40-60 mph. Initially I thought (hoped) it was a rear wheel bearing, but sadly it would appear not.
Grateful for advice over the best way to proceed. A new one is a daft price. Do I get a professional re-build or find a 2nd hand one at a fair price and swop them over???
I appreciate that much depends on the state of the internals. Any advice or contacts for either option gratefully received. Cheers Guys

 

Would assume that it would be cheaper to buy a 2nd hand unit as you have to factor an sti gearset and labour for rebuild.....



....but what do I know?....I just go around brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRRRR brrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRR brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRR

I'm blaming you for bad fuel consumption lately ;

Bob

 

lets weigh up the choices ebay/ dealers £2K hmmmm i think id pick ebay, or some salvage yard

 

A specialist gearbox rebuilder will be cheaper and may offer some warranty. It needs to be a specialist with Subaru experience. Secondhand for an STi 5/6 is likely to be £500 upwards and you do not know its condition or history.
Where are you located?
I am interested in your old box if you do not go for a rebuild.

 

IMO try www.apiengines.co.uk Talk to David. They do engines/trans etc and he realy knows Imprezas.

No BS, just straight talk. He even has 6 speeders!

911

 

echo the above. David knows his g/boxes

Bob

 

Thanks for the helpful advice guys.
I've tried API who will do a reconditioned box for £1,000 plus VAT on an exchange basis. As you said they seem pretty switched on about Scoobies. I am currently trawling through 'the breakers' locally to see if there is anything that might be worth taking a gamble on for less than a grand.
A rebuild is looking the less likely option as the labour costs look prohibitive.
Harvey I'm across the water in N. Ireland which probably won't suit you.
Bob I'm glad your enjoying the blitz and hope your neighbours are still talking to you!

 

Neighbours? What Neighbours?....they all moved out due to localised thunder noises

Only kidding....it really is quite civil at idle. I have a resonator and silincer in the centre section so that prolly helps.

Still....what a growl!

Bob

 

"Harvey I'm across the water in N. Ireland which probably won't suit you"
(Well somebody has got to live there.!!!
If you end up with a dead gearbox, let me know, providing it is an STi 5/6.
Depending where you are you have McKinstry's if you get stuck. They are down the A1 heading for Newry just where you turn left onto the A50.
I am sure David would warrant any of his work but you have the hassle of getting it over and somebody to do the work (who could be Mc Kinstry.)

 

I am in the same situation with my box at the mo. After removing the box myself a few weeks ago, I have decided to go for a re-build.

I initially looked at the option of getting a replacment re-con box from a number of good suppliers (Grade-A / Central Sub / API etc....) but in the end concluded that it would be a risk to go for a box that i had know knowledge of it's previous use.

I have made many enquiries with regards to the re-build and feel although this is definatly gonna cost more, it is a better option in the long run as i know exactly what my box has been through in the time i've had the car.

This is just my opinion though as my car has a very low milage and and it makes sense to keep the origional box.

If you need any advice please PM me.

good luck mate!

 

Just a quick one, but does anyone ever check their gearbox oil levels?
(dip stick is next to the intercooler )

Tony

 

regularly mate.

 

Scoobnov2 your right. It will have to be a rebuild.
Probably worth the extra cost to ensure a replacement box is not put in that explodes a few months from now. I have found a local transmission firm who are happy to work on this type of gearbox.
In the interim on advice I am checking out the large bearing to prop shaft connection at the rear of the box which may be the root of the problem. If so it should avoid 'gearbox out' and a costly rebuild.
I change the diff oil (front and rear) every 10,000 miles and shortage of oil is definately not the problem. That said a reminder to check is always going to be good advice!

 

Have you tried Grade A Subaru Breakers, i asked how much a Type RA gearbox would cost and they said around £500.

 

A public thanks to Colin at Thames Valley Motorsport who PM'd me over this problem and subsequently provided the initial fault finding advice that solved the problem.
Bearings in the final drive/drive shaft have now been replaced and the problem has been solved without removing or stripping down the gearbox. Saved a heap of time, hassle and money.
It just proves that it is always worth getting a second opinion from Scoobynet members! Thanks again Colin your help is much appreciated.

 

Glad you had a happy outcome and Colin turned up trumps for you.