Only had it a week - Gearbox issues already :(
Discussion
After collecting my v8v , 2007 plate from stratstone a week ago tomorrow, i.e I have had it 6 days, I am becoming more conscious to the stiff gear change.
I understand its stiff by nature, and am happy with this, I naturally rev match and heel and toe most of the time so covers a lot of the problem up but the majority of the problem came when this morning my other half tried to drive it, and actually found it impossible to make the transition between first and second, without baulking the box.
Even when not baulking its very very stiff to make that shift. Most of the other shifts are ok, albeit still stiff.
I was under the impression that my 07 would have had the revised linkages to solve this.
Does anyone have experience with getting this resolved ? I am hoping the cables can be adjusted.
The issue I have is how long its been like it is likely to have caused some gearbox damage by now
Any input welcome.
Cheers
I understand its stiff by nature, and am happy with this, I naturally rev match and heel and toe most of the time so covers a lot of the problem up but the majority of the problem came when this morning my other half tried to drive it, and actually found it impossible to make the transition between first and second, without baulking the box.
Even when not baulking its very very stiff to make that shift. Most of the other shifts are ok, albeit still stiff.
I was under the impression that my 07 would have had the revised linkages to solve this.
Does anyone have experience with getting this resolved ? I am hoping the cables can be adjusted.
The issue I have is how long its been like it is likely to have caused some gearbox damage by now
Any input welcome.
Cheers
I had this problem in my DB9 when I first bought it...to the point that I was very close to returning it. The dealers changed the gearbox oil to a different one that came out as a technical bulletin. (The previous dealers couldn't confirm that this had been done when the bulletin was first issued so Harwoods did it for me). There was an noticeable difference for the better but still not what I was expecting. Messages of "Oh! They are all like that when cold" didn't really help.
I have recently has a lightweight flywheel and twin plate clutch fitted and it has made a massive difference (The downside being that the wife can now drive the car). The gears can be changed with ease with a fast route up and down the gears much easier.
I appreciate that it is more expense but it does transform the car.
I have recently has a lightweight flywheel and twin plate clutch fitted and it has made a massive difference (The downside being that the wife can now drive the car). The gears can be changed with ease with a fast route up and down the gears much easier.
I appreciate that it is more expense but it does transform the car.
Hmm, now I have to decide in my head if mine is worse than others or not 
Regarding damage to the gearbox, you can hear it struggle to make the transition, not quite a crunch but I am sure it cannot be doing the box much good ? Maybe paranoid.
I find it strange to find that this is "normal" on a 100k car ( when new ) that the missus cannot drive it, and the gear change on any other ropey old hatchback works fine.
Will try and ride it out till service time and get them to do something then I think.
Regarding damage to the gearbox, you can hear it struggle to make the transition, not quite a crunch but I am sure it cannot be doing the box much good ? Maybe paranoid.
I find it strange to find that this is "normal" on a 100k car ( when new ) that the missus cannot drive it, and the gear change on any other ropey old hatchback works fine.
Will try and ride it out till service time and get them to do something then I think.
cableguy1984 said:
I find it strange to find that this is "normal" on a 100k car ( when new ) that the missus cannot drive it, and the gear change on any other ropey old hatchback works fine.
How many other 100k cars with cable-operated transaxle-positioned manual gearboxes have you owned? My Maserati 4200 GT used to be the same, in fact you could only use 1st to 3rd until it was warmed through. It is totally different to a ropey hatchback which has a little gearbox bolted directly onto a little engine with a little clutch in between and it's all at the front.Either before starting the engine (or after with the car idling), push in the clutch and go through the box from 1st to 6th and back a few times. You'll help break the viscosity of the oil and it'll be much nicer. As others have said, if it's still a nasty change from 1st to 2nd when the car is warm, you might need cabling or linkage adjusted.
yeti said:
How many other 100k cars with cable-operated transaxle-positioned manual gearboxes have you owned? My Maserati 4200 GT used to be the same, in fact you could only use 1st to 3rd until it was warmed through. It is totally different to a ropey hatchback which has a little gearbox bolted directly onto a little engine with a little clutch in between and it's all at the front.
Either before starting the engine (or after with the car idling), push in the clutch and go through the box from 1st to 6th and back a few times. You'll help break the viscosity of the oil and it'll be much nicer. As others have said, if it's still a nasty change from 1st to 2nd when the car is warm, you might need cabling or linkage adjusted.
There speaks the voice of experience (we've missed you Lewis!)Either before starting the engine (or after with the car idling), push in the clutch and go through the box from 1st to 6th and back a few times. You'll help break the viscosity of the oil and it'll be much nicer. As others have said, if it's still a nasty change from 1st to 2nd when the car is warm, you might need cabling or linkage adjusted.
kers seem to be taking a break so I thought I'd pop over from watches and tz-uk and say hello! Looking forward to seeing you at the track day Mollypops 
cableguy1984 said:
Hmm, now I have to decide in my head if mine is worse than others or not
Regarding damage to the gearbox, you can hear it struggle to make the transition, not quite a crunch but I am sure it cannot be doing the box much good ? Maybe paranoid.
I find it strange to find that this is "normal" on a 100k car ( when new ) that the missus cannot drive it, and the gear change on any other ropey old hatchback works fine.
Will try and ride it out till service time and get them to do something then I think.
The V8 has a Graziano race developed gearbox, built to handle up to 900bhp [so i've been told], and the stiffness of gearchanges when cold is an indication of just how durable it is..... Once warmed up, and bear in mind that the gearbox is NOT attached to a warm engine, it is very slick. Friction and exhaust heat warm the gearbox.Regarding damage to the gearbox, you can hear it struggle to make the transition, not quite a crunch but I am sure it cannot be doing the box much good ? Maybe paranoid.
I find it strange to find that this is "normal" on a 100k car ( when new ) that the missus cannot drive it, and the gear change on any other ropey old hatchback works fine.
Will try and ride it out till service time and get them to do something then I think.
Not quite a fix, but you can also start in 2nd, if you don't need to manouevre out of a space.
Re: "£100k", that's a valid point in theory, but I don't know if it works like that in real life, even with expensive things. I stopped 'expecting' it to behave a certain way; it's a wonderful car on its own merits. When I dated Penelope Cruz, she was rubbish at doing the dishes, but I soon learnt not to judge her on that.
Re: "£100k", that's a valid point in theory, but I don't know if it works like that in real life, even with expensive things. I stopped 'expecting' it to behave a certain way; it's a wonderful car on its own merits. When I dated Penelope Cruz, she was rubbish at doing the dishes, but I soon learnt not to judge her on that.
The updated oil is Castrol BOT270a
There is/was a service recall to replace a bell-crank and the oil:
Service Bulletin #236
Stiff gearchange when cold - "Performed Service Bulletin 0236 1st and 2nd gear selection; lowered transmission replaced shifter bell crank lever; drained transmission fluid; installed 5 liters of Castrol 70w special oil; replaced transmission mounting bolts; installed transmission; removed shifter assembly modified to spec."
If you have access to all your service history, it may be listed.
The AM 'part' for the bell-crank replacement is:
6g33-7c270-aa
HTH - Simon
There is/was a service recall to replace a bell-crank and the oil:
Service Bulletin #236
Stiff gearchange when cold - "Performed Service Bulletin 0236 1st and 2nd gear selection; lowered transmission replaced shifter bell crank lever; drained transmission fluid; installed 5 liters of Castrol 70w special oil; replaced transmission mounting bolts; installed transmission; removed shifter assembly modified to spec."
If you have access to all your service history, it may be listed.
The AM 'part' for the bell-crank replacement is:
6g33-7c270-aa
HTH - Simon
Take it back to the dealer and tell them that you are not enjoying the experience and although you are aware the gearbox is 'difficult' in 1st and 2nd when cold you are not convinced that your car is OK. Get them to check the paperwork/Service history to show you that the oil had been changed in accordance with the bulletin. If they can't then ask them to change the oil as directed by the company.
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