Hi Folks,

Wondering if anyone here can advise. I've got a 1999 UK Turbo and approx once a journey it just slips out of 5th gear into neutral. Is this an early sign of an expensive problem, or an indicator that something simple needs adjusting?

All responses appreciated!

Thanks

Matt

 

I had this with mine for a while. It's the synchro on 5th.

Good news is that 5th is the gear right at the back and can be done in the box so it's much cheaper.

 

Is it the synchro or a bent selector rod not dropping into its detent properly?

 

Had this on my 99 rb5, it wasnt the syncro it was the main shaft of the gearbox being loose,eg if your in 4th and accelerate then lift off does ur gearstick move slightly. its an easy fix just need a bigger nut at the end of the gearbox and it should be gd as new, go to ur mechanic and let him have a look, could be something else

 

Speak to David at APi. Last scenario described by hhh1234 sounds like a good candidate to me.

Ns04

 

Definately will be the retaining nut for 5th gear. ust fixed this problem on my car last month. Nut is about £14 from subaru. When you take the transfer case off the nut will likely just be on by a thread or two.
Not the hardest job to do.

 

is it worth having the box rebuilt while its open and out? no telling if the otehrs are going as well or not without checking

 

You dont need the box out of the car to do this job. So no need to open it up and rebuild it mate. You can get access to the nut by removing the transfer case.

 

is ti worth doing is mroe the question i was posing. if ones worn then its more than likley another is

 

Common problem on MY99/2000 year uk cars unfortunately but its as hhh1234 states.

Tony

 

I had the same on my 99 Turbo it is just the mainshaft nut that keeps the cogs together, dealer fixed it but took 2 days labour to do it. Cost £700.
If you can take it direct to API they will do it for alot less and in a few hours.
Whatever you do don't leave it as it could quickly become expensive!

 

2 days labour monkeys must have been working on it, thats crazy what did the dealer say when he told you 2 days labour, why,

 

They said it was a complex job and that the monkey had spent 17 hours on it then listed off the procedure, taking exhaust off ...... It wasn't until I went on here and asked about it I found out how long it should take. Suffice to say I haven't gone back.

 

No its not worth rebuilding the gearbox then. It is only the nut that holds on 5th gear. Nothing else should be loose so why rebuild it? Be as well just waiting till 1,2,3, or4 goes bang

 

Hey Guys,

Wow - fantastic response. This board is superb. You have certainly given me a lead. Sounds like the horror (gearbox out) scenario is unlikely so I won't rush to sell the car!

hhh1234 - how much labour do you think this job is? (clearly less than two days!).

Cheers

Matt

 

Prob take a few hours if u go to someone gd and knows what their doing,

 

Yeah having done it myself once before i reckon i could do the job in about 4-5 hours. Garages a bit less as they have ramps etc etc

Where you puting it to get done?

 

Not sure yet. I think I'll wait for it to get worse before I spend the cash! Right now it only pops very occasionally.

Thanks for your advice

Matt

 

matt i wouldnt wait id get it done asap as it can result in other parts of your gearbox going pop. was speaking to my mechanic who did mine and he had replace other parts as the loose shaft bend of plates etc, get it done before any more damage is caused. also a 99yr gear box was one of the best turbo boxes made and you wouldnt want to destroy it,

 

We regularly do these while-U-wait on a Saturday morning. Takes about 4 hours give or take a few rusty bolts to undo. Usually can be fixed for £200.00 + VAT Just occasionally there is a bit more damage and we have to replace some other parts. Very rarely reaches 400 quid.

It is the ' big nut ' coming undone that does it.

Call if we can help you.

David APi 01926 614333

Agents for Simtek, the most exciting new Ecu for years

 

No get it fixed immediately mate. Will only get worse and could cause bigger problems. For the sake of £34 it cost me to do the whole job is it worth risking the rest of the box?????

 

Andy - how on earth did you manage to get it done for £34? I'll have a bit of that! Please let me know...

Thanks

Matt

 

Go to subaru and order the nut, some gear oil and a transfer box/gearbox gasket. Then DIY. Might sound a bit of a daunting task but it really isnt that bad at all.