Metal deposits found in Gearbox!!!
 

just changed the oil in rear diff and gearbox on MY99 GT 70 000 miles (hasn't been done before!!!!).....

Firstly Bugger the Gearbox drain plug was tight....ring spanner plus 1 meter breaking bar just about managed!!!!

Secondly rather worringly there was quite a bit of metal deposits stuck on the gearbox magnetic plug!!!!

Kind of like swarf..... 3-5 mm long probably not thicker than 0.2-0.4mm
Found about a dozen like that......

Should I be worried?


Cheers, Plums.

sounds like normal wear and tear mate.... you will always get some little bits attached to the magnet if there are any larger bits than that such as bits of chipped teeth then id be worried..........

Without seeing what you found, I cannot say for sure but it is normal to find small metal filings on the magnetic bung. What you found, sounds bigger than normal. Any photos?

or it could be the remains of the third gear washer

Just quickly cleaned them up and shot a photo......

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...s/P1010118.jpg


They really look almost like shavings.

Cheers for your input!

Plums.

That debris is far bigger than what could be considered "normal" so something has broken up, probably a thrust washer.
While the box is still performing satisfactorily, it might be worth looking around for a replacement. I would expect it is noisey in a particular gear at present. Once you have a replacement box, that can be organised to suit your own timetable and the old box then overhauled.

Ouch that sounds expensive! The box is working fine although there is a slight mechanical squelch just as I release the clutch and the engine bites... once I apply a little accelerator the sounds goes away.

The noise also happens when I release the accelerator and coast at around 1500 rpms in the low gears!

I took it to a mechanic last week (before oil change) he seemed the think the noise was the clutch thrust bearing.


Oh dear....... If your assumption is correct it could be a lot worse!!!!!!

Cheers,

Plums.

Hi Plums,

I saw exactly the same on my MY01 WRX. That was three years ago and the box is still fine. It's a known issue and is caused by pushing 3rd gear too far (with the lever).

Don't worry about it. Keep driving the car!

Best regards,

Ian

Cheers Ian!

Now that is a bit of good news!

Do you have any weird noises coming from your box.... ohhh er!

Plums.

Hi Plums,

No noises 3 years ago and non now. Take it to somewhere like Api or Scoobyclinic as they've got plenty of gearbox overhaul expertise if you want total peace of mind.

Best regards,

Ian

My gearbox oil was silvery when it came out, along with a cm long sliver of metal. Went off to API for a rebuild, no problems since.

I live in Switzerland so it might be a long round trip ;)

The oil that came out was like a liquidy goldy bronze...... it looked beautiful to be honest!

Plums

How much for a reconditioned gearbox.... if I need one?

And which gearbox's (MY?) can go on a MY99

Cheers,

Paul.

Replace the gearbox with the same as comes out. Your will be TY754 something. The ID is shown on the VIN plate on the strut leg top area.
A secondhand box could be around £400 for a good one.

Mine's a bit broken too....

http://www.grandprixweekender.com/photos/gearbox1

http://www.grandprixweekender.com/photos/gearbox2

http://www.grandprixweekender.com/photos/gearbox3

You don't need a gearbox specialist you need an Orthodontist :lol:

That's what we see all the time here. Seems to be getting more common as power levels go up.

The bits in the pics from Plums! above are a bit bigger than I'd like to see, they look more like parts of the sliding interlocks in the synchro hubs to me. If gear selection starts getting a problem, any gear, that'll clinch it.

It is not usual for bits of the 3rd gear ' overreach ' thrust washer to break off like that, they just sort of erode away and end up as the sludge on the magnet rather than the bigger bits.

I'd suggest making a planned repair to the box soon, rather than waiting 'til it breaks at an inconvenient time...

David APi

Good luck

unfortunately mine threw its hand in during a sprint at Aintree- at about 135:eek:

It broke at 1.35?? is that in protest because it was lunchtime??:wonder:

Oh ! I see, you mean miles per hour......:rolleyes:

David

Cheers David,

Gears change seems fine, infact it's very slick not loose but nice and tight, no problems changing hot or cold and no ugly noises in any gear....

just a little squelch on lifting the clutch as previously mentioned which go away once the clutch is fully released.

Cheers,

Plums.

that is defo bits from third gear washer if you buy a new 3-4 gearset it should have the modded 3rd gear in it that done away with the washer, you will also need a new synchro hub as well.