Changing gear turret oil - ease of DIY job?

[AshG]

Hello all.

The gearshift in my Mk1 1.8iS has been getting stiffer and notchier for a while now. I figure that at just over 90,000 miles the gear turret oil/lubricant needs replacing. I've found the link to this excellent pictorial how-to on miata.net:

http://www.miata.net/garage/trans/everything.html

...but I was wondering if anyone here has actually done this themselves, and if so, was it as easy as the photos on that link make it appear to be?

Ta!

[Raify]

I've done it. It's very simple. Access takes about 5 mins, changing the gaitors + oil about 10-15. The only special tool you need is a turkey baster.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Yes, it's easy. Replace both rubber boots while your at it - I can guarantee they will be torn.
Changing the gearbox oil wouldn't be a bad idea too

[AshG]

Thanks all!

Lazza - please pardon my woeful ignorance on the subject, but how does one go about changing the gearbox oil?

[MX-5 Lazza]

The link you posted shows how to do it very well.

Make sure you remove the fill plug (top one) before you remove the drain plug. I think one is 23mm and the other 24mm just to make things awkward.
You'll need some sort of pump to get the oil from the bottle to the gearbox...

[AshG]

...aaand that'll teach ME to read a link through thoroughly!

Many thanks for your response and for humouring an over-caffienated idiot!

Edited by AshG on Tuesday 3rd March 11:16

[GravelBen]

MX-5 Lazza said:

You'll need some sort of pump to get the oil from the bottle to the gearbox...

Or just run a length of hose down through the engine bay and pour the oil through that.

[A2Z]

GravelBen said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

You'll need some sort of pump to get the oil from the bottle to the gearbox...

Or just run a length of hose down through the engine bay and pour the oil through that.

I tried that and when it wasn't pouring all over the driveway it took ages to drain through. I'm getting one of these next.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

Edited by A2Z on Tuesday 3rd March 20:12

[MX-5 Lazza]

A2Z said:

GravelBen said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

You'll need some sort of pump to get the oil from the bottle to the gearbox...

Or just run a length of hose down through the engine bay and pour the oil through that.

I tried that and when it wasn't pouring all over the driveway it took ages to drain through. I'm getting one of these next.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

Edited by A2Z on Tuesday 3rd March 20:12

We tried to use one of those on the PlanetMX5 motorsports car. It was a complete disaster as it doesn't have a valve in it so between sucking the oil out of the bottle and getting in into position under the car it poured most of the oil all over the driveway.
I used a simple bulb-pump. I think it's supposed to be for pumping fuel but it worked well for pumping oil and didn't spill a drop.

[GravelBen]

Fair enough, hose worked fine for me - was small enough to fit right into the filler hole so no spillage.

[bluetone]

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Multi-Purpose-Syphon-...

One of these works for me for all sorts of getting fluids in/out jobs (oo-er missus etc)

[NiceCupOfTea]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Yes, it's easy. Replace both rubber boots while your at it - I can guarantee they will be torn.
Changing the gearbox oil wouldn't be a bad idea too

Any idea where one can get these rubber boots?

ETA: Found them on MX5parts - are they really 20 quid each?

Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Sunday 8th March 01:17

[bluetone]

Replacing the worn shift boots was one of the first jobs I did when I got my Mk1 = the shift felt like new afterwards
The short-throw gear change action is one of the car's highlights IMO.

[pmanson]

Glad I used the search function!

This is going to be one of my jobs this weekend...

Oil change
Gearbox oil change
Diff oil change (i assume I have one on the 1.6?)
Coolant change

[snotrag]

The boots and turret oil are Definitely worth doing - it makes a big differencre the smoothness, or it did on mine.

Also the boots keep a lot of noise out, if you make sure you've got plenty of wadding in there too it quietens the whine down a lot. I used some extra lof insulation type stuff packed in under the plastic centre console, worked well and only weighs about 5 grammes.

[pmanson]

Snotrag is the turret oil the same as the gearbox oil? Or do I have use a different oil?

[bluetone]

pmanson said:

Snotrag is the turret oil the same as the gearbox oil? Or do I have use a different oil?

IIRC I used the gearbox oil, you don't need very much. The tricky bit is getting the old oil out; try a turkey baster if you have one (don't tell the wife)..

http://www.miata.net/garage/shiftboot.html

HTH

Edited by bluetone on Wednesday 1st April 08:39

[MX-5 Lazza]

You can use any oil - even veggie oil if you like though that might not last very long. Gearbox oil is a good choice though.
And yes you have a dif. Every car has a dif

[pmanson]

MX-5 Lazza said:

You can use any oil - even veggie oil if you like though that might not last very long. Gearbox oil is a good choice though.
And yes you have a dif. Every car has a dif

I thought I did, was just having a funny 5mins when I posted that!

Better order some bits today then

[bluetone]

pmanson said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

You can use any oil - even veggie oil if you like though that might not last very long. Gearbox oil is a good choice though.
And yes you have a dif. Every car has a dif

I thought I did, was just having a funny 5mins when I posted that!

Better order some bits today then

And as ever, please please please make sure you can get the refilling bolt off before undoing the drainage one!