Sticky gearchange
Sticky gearchange
Author
Discussion

catretriever

Original Poster:

2,090 posts

271 months

Tuesday 7th June 2005
quotequote all
Over the past week or so I've noticed the gearbox has become somewhat stiffer, with a kind a sticky feel that seems to be worse when the car is hot. Could it be that the clutch is on the way out?

thegamekeeper

2,282 posts

311 months

Tuesday 7th June 2005
quotequote all
when did you last change the gearbox oil????

catretriever

Original Poster:

2,090 posts

271 months

Tuesday 7th June 2005
quotequote all
erm..........I'll have to ask the garage. Presumably that should be part of the 24K service that it had over the winter..

thegamekeeper

2,282 posts

311 months

Tuesday 7th June 2005
quotequote all
" should be" !!

Pum

270 posts

300 months

Tuesday 7th June 2005
quotequote all
When my clutch was on the way out, I had problems getting it into gear - especially reverse. It kind of crunched in sometimes. I believe it was due to the release bit in the middle of the clutch plate going.

Pum.

catretriever

Original Poster:

2,090 posts

271 months

Tuesday 7th June 2005
quotequote all
Hmmm....yeah I get the reverse-crunch too.

So how much do you think I might be looking at for a new clutch?

Pum

270 posts

300 months

Tuesday 7th June 2005
quotequote all
My clutch was changed about 4 years ago, and I don't remember the cost - I think I got a whole bunch of stuff done at the same time. I think the clutch plate cost was more than typical for a big engine clutch (eg: standard Rover SDI), but I could remember wrong. I believe it was a straight-forward job (for a competent mechanic) - ie: no tricky manuevres or special tools needed, so labour charge should not be huge. I don't know what the clutch make/model is either Hopefully, one of the tech-luminaries of these forums will post more helpful info, or you could try calling your local TVR maintainer.

Don't just take my word - it might not be the clutch - could be something less expensive

Pum.

jeffsy

5,602 posts

256 months

Tuesday 7th June 2005
quotequote all
Oh dear

Reverse crunch here too....the garage suggested I put it into 5th first,before moving the stick back to reverse!

Also evidence of sticky gear changes....I thought it was me going

...dont tell me I need a new clutch ....mind you as I only bought the car 3 weeks ago I reckon the garage should be looking at it

Pum

270 posts

300 months

Wednesday 8th June 2005
quotequote all
Putting it in a forward gear before trying reverse does seem to help - I thought 3rd was recommended. I think it helps line up or slow down some of the whirly things in the box, or something like that

Pum

gingerprince

571 posts

270 months

Wednesday 8th June 2005
quotequote all
Don't worry about crunchy reverse, it's not a sign of broken clutch or gearbox, it's a trait of the T5 gearbox. Same problem on Cosworths (same gearbox). Basically slip it into 3rd or 5th briefly before reverse. Mentioned in Steve Heath's bible.

I still forget sometimes and it kinda ruins the "cool" image crunching your way out of a parking spot

I'd definately check with the garage that the transmission oil was changed as first port of call. After all it's a cheap option, just a free phone call (if you do it from work )

alex.mcintosh

200 posts

307 months

Wednesday 8th June 2005
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Wouldn't use 5th on a T5 - it's a weak point on these boxes....

Digga

48,104 posts

312 months

Wednesday 8th June 2005
quotequote all
alex.mcintosh said:
Wouldn't use 5th on a T5 - it's a weak point on these boxes....


It's the only gear to use in a griff if you want to light-up both rear tyres at 125mph through the Lavant kink at Goodwood.

Don't worry unduly about a crunchy reverse - they all do that sir! - which, as has been said, can be negated by briefly moving the gearstick to 5th, before selecting reverse.

The T5 can also be an utter swine on part-throttle changes from 2nd to 3rd - very easy to fluff (from this point you can sometimes only get 4th) and either hook 5th or feel as if you've got a bag of neutrals. This normally only happens when you're pushing-on, but are not at full revs/throttle and is very disconcerting!

Gearbox oil changes/level checks are a must. I also find that, having driven various Griffs other than my own, higher mileage cars can often have a far sweeter change FWIW.

starmist

1,052 posts

271 months

Wednesday 8th June 2005
quotequote all
About £400 fitted for a new clutch.

ohidunno

506 posts

301 months

Wednesday 8th June 2005
quotequote all
Digga said:


The T5 can also be an utter swine on part-throttle changes from 2nd to 3rd - very easy to fluff (from this point you can sometimes only get 4th) and either hook 5th or feel as if you've got a bag of neutrals. This normally only happens when you're pushing-on, but are not at full revs/throttle and is very disconcerting!



What is the solution to this. When pressing on I sometimes find changing from 2nd to third difficult. It rarely is a problem and all other gears seem fine?

ohidunno

506 posts

301 months

Thursday 9th June 2005
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Anyone know the answer to the problem engaging 3rd from second? The problem does dot seem uncommon

Digga

48,104 posts

312 months

Thursday 9th June 2005
quotequote all
ohidunno said:

Digga said:


The T5 can also be an utter swine on part-throttle changes from 2nd to 3rd - very easy to fluff (from this point you can sometimes only get 4th) and either hook 5th or feel as if you've got a bag of neutrals. This normally only happens when you're pushing-on, but are not at full revs/throttle and is very disconcerting!




What is the solution to this. When pressing on I sometimes find changing from 2nd to third difficult. It rarely is a problem and all other gears seem fine?


AFAIK there isn't one.

It seems that most of the other guys who sprint their Griffs experience this occasionally. On full throttle, maximum revs change-ups the 'box genereally behaves, but it's in places - like mid corner, or poor camber - where you can't give full throttle that it baulks.

I know I'm not alone in using the torque and short-shifting (i.e. chainging up early) in certain places, to avoid the issue altogether.

catretriever

Original Poster:

2,090 posts

271 months

Wednesday 15th June 2005
quotequote all
After a week away , getting back in the griff yesterday I have to say the gearbox felt as good as it ever has, which makes me think I'm imagining things and maybe interpreting my own crappy driving as a problem with the car....

...but then after a spirited commute this morning the change was feeling sticky again. Am I imagining things, or could the 'problem' be more noticable when the eninge & box are hotter?

stringbag

291 posts

279 months

Wednesday 15th June 2005
quotequote all
If you are really concerned, maybe a quick check of gearbox oil level and/or a fluid change may improve things. Won't do any harm anyway.

thegamekeeper

2,282 posts

311 months

Wednesday 15th June 2005
quotequote all
Change the oil !!!!!!!!!!!!!(dont top it up , all that is doing is adding new oil to the bulk of which has gone out of grade). If it doesn't improve it has cost you very little and at least you KNOW you have a gearbox full of new oil

catretriever

Original Poster:

2,090 posts

271 months

Wednesday 15th June 2005
quotequote all
I guess I'll change the oil then
Thanks for the sound advice everyone.