Stiffening Gearbox when warm?

[duncan hermer]

Over the past 4-6 weeks, during which time i have clocked up a higher than average number of miles, i have noticed that my gearbox has definitely become stiffer on gear change - 1995 Chim 400

However, this only happens once the engine has warmed to about 80 degrees. It is a definite change of smoothness when the temp increases. Until recently i thought the gear change was extremely easy and light for such a car - a point highlighted by a mate who drove mine and commented that mine was very light and smooth in comparison to his.

I didn't think too much of it until the last time i drove i am sure i could smell gearbox oil when i turned the engine off - had done approx 200 mile journey.

Checked garage floor and no oil leaks or anything.

Anyone got any ideas or suggestions as to what may have caused this change, particularly at temperature? Or should i just get it checked by Peninsula?

Thanks in advance.

[Apache]

yep, mine does this too, ATF helps

[simpo one]

Thermal expansion somewhere? Something not adjusted right? Just a guess!

[iandbeech]

Ours gets slightly stiffer when warm but never hard to engage. Seems slightly better since service when gear oil changed but not greatly so.

[Hairy Cornflake]

My 98 4.0 is the same, stiff changing down out of third when warm.

HC

[Mark.S]

At my last service (David Batty) I mentioned that the shift was very stiff on occasions. He noticed some joint in the linkage (don't ask me what its called!)was dry and re-greased it.

Perfectly fine now.

[duncan hermer]

Cheers fellas, seems like its a common thing - it changes gear like i always expected it too now anyway, so perhaps there was something wrong in the first place that's now corrected itself!

Will mention it to Peninsula at the service in October.

[tvr_griff_4000]

The simple answer is that many T5 boxes do it. You can aleiviate the symptoms by using fully synthetic ATF (such as Amsoil from Demon Tweeks)or by going to the gym and building up the arms a bit.

Richard

[xain]

Steve at Precision recommends not to use ATF, as he says it allows the box to overheat. He even showed me 2 of them that had stripped the cogs as a result.
Mine's been brilliant since he's serviced it. Slightly heavier change when cold, but it smooths up as soon as the engine is warm.