Exige gearbox crunch

[bruh_la]

I am very happy with my new purchase but one thing does not feel correct.

The difficulties relate to the gearbox. Firstly it is difficult to get into 2nd gear when the gearbox oil is cold, it is however perfect when the oil is warm. So this does not bother me. Secondly, 1st can be a bit tricky to get into when stationary. I solve this by going into 1st just before i stop. Then when stopped i take it out of gear....wait for the lights to change and then snick it in, no bother. This is also no problem for me.

So with those minor things as background info, my problem is as follows. When going from 2nd to 3rd there is a slight crunch or buzz as the lever goes into third. I have also noticed it from 4th to 3rd and to a minor extent 4th to 5th. Its definately worse when cold, to the point of being an audible crunch when cold, when warm the crunch can only be felt not heard. When i change gear slow enough, so that the revs come down to 2,000 rpm it does not do it, but during a normal shift (not a fast one) its definately there.

Anyone had this, do they all do that? Could this be linkage adjustment? My dealer recommends a better oil as he claims the stickiness of the change is quite common and is improved with a better oil. My concern with this is i can imagine it would help the change quality when cold, and therefore improve my first and second gear(when cold). But the 3rd gear crunch seems to be something a bit more mechanical than something that can be solved with oil that is more slippy! The fact that it is revs related suggests syncromesh to me but its never difficult to get third so this suggests its not...i am guessing....

Any thoughts?

[tuscan_thunder]

yup, dealer is right - it's oil.

My mate had problems with his Roger Clark tuned Subaru and thought the synchro was on the way out (change to 5th was basically impossible esp when the box was warm). A change of gearbox oil (to slightly 'thicker' oil if memory serves) solved all the problems and the box is back to feeling as it should.

>> Edited by tuscan_thunder on Wednesday 31st May 11:15

[Joe - Exige S]

Hi Ian,
Mine is exactly the same regarding 1st, 2nd and especially reverse gear when cold (You sometimes have go between 1st, 2nd or reverse a couple of times + release the clutch a bit). Absolutely fine when warm. I just assumed this was normal and due to the oil in the gearbox being cold.

I found 3rd gear quite tricky (ie you had to be very very precise with the change and it was a bit crunchy) for the 1st 1000 miles or so although, I've now done nearly 2500 miles and it is much better. I think it must be everything bedding together and the edges of the gate rounding off.

What does everyone else think?

[GTRene]

hm...seems like you have to "think" how you have to swift gears...not helping much for relaxt klik klak (bmw like) swifting of gears...
Sure a good oil will help a bit...but me thinks not well anough! ofcorse with a gearbox so brand new you also have to work things in...
otherwise maybe go for the gearlink/short shift/busses kits??
I know I would hate a bad shift and thinking what to do next or preparing for, driving a car that fits like a shoe must be telekenetic me thinks! so do something about it and don't listen to TADTS you know you want a proper smooth gearshift
GTRene

[S Works]

Brand new car & box bedding in. Per Joe's note I'm sure this is just something that will resolve itself in time. IIRC yours is yet to have the 1,000mls service - something for the dealer to look into for you then. Also, I believe the running in oil is of a different viscosity to the regular stuff isn't it? That will have an effect I'd have thought.

[emenel]

It definitely seems that mileage is the key. I've had the 1,000 mile service and am now on about 1800 miles and the shifts are very smooth and precise. Still a bit of a struggle with 1st when cold at standstill but most of the time the gearbox is an unexpected pleasure.

[swilding]

I also have an 06 exige and have problems when cold changing from 2nd to 3rd. A slight crunching of the gears. Once warm this goes away.

I would agree that oil can have a big difference as I have experienced this on my track car (seven). My problem was similar as I was trying to change gear v quickly and the gear didn't want to be selected. I changed the oil and this problem has completely dissapeared.

However I could imagine that all 06 models at least are running the same oil, so we would all have the problem. I would suggest getting the garage to check the adjustment of your gear linkage.