??Gearbox dying

When was the last time you changed the gearbox oil? Have you tried a decent oil before you commit to a rebuild? Try a decent oil like Castrol Syntrans or something - but don't go overboard until you know it changed your situation. It couldn't hurt, and you may be surprised what difference it can make.

Cheers
Chris

I had this problem on my old MQ Patrol a few years back. It was completely cured by overhauling the clutch slave cylinder, as it turned out that the clutch was not disengaging enough to allow easy gear changes.

Regards
John
Hermannsburg

I reckon Jiarna (NT) is on the money here....

I'd definitely be getting a _second opinion_ on the clutch, with particular emphasis on the hydraulic system.. From your description of the symptoms, it sounds as though the clutch is simply not dis-engaging fully...

Once you have it in gear, is there any movement at all in the pedal before it begins to "take up"??.. Have you tried "pumping" the pedal a couple of times to see if this makes it any easier to get into gear??...

Yep, I'll 3rd Jiarna's and Ed's opinion, go for the clutch, most likely slave cyl.
If by some chance it's not the clutch and it does definately turn out to be the box there just happens to be one in the trader section of this site that would suit your requirements perfectly.

Avagoodn
Pezza

Hi southscat

From your post this problem has developed suddenly if this is the case I would put my money on the clutch release cylinder or its adjustment - all can be done pretty easily by you - critical path - 1. check clutch slave cylinder for leaks - if leaks if no leaks apparent 2. check adjustment - if in adjustment - 3. check clutch resivoir - if correct 4. bleed old fluid out of resivoir at clutch slave cylinder. Think about replacing slave cylinder or the clutch next and look at the gearbox last.

Of course if find you have to check the clutch the gearbox must come out, if this happens make sure that the clutch release bearing is replaced as part of the clutch replacement that should occur anyway.

The mechanics advice may be right but I would take it with a grain of salt as gearboxes usually slowly develop shifting problems or fail catastrophically.

Hope this helps

smort

Do these things have a spigot bush, thats what was RS on my old vitara, hard to get reverse without crunching and when sitting at lights when I went to take off first gear was a bastard to try and engage, did require the box to come out and whacked a new clutch in the process,was like new again after getting it back. just a possibility. Regards Steve M

10 hours labour? Try a real mechanic that has worked on 4bys b4. Like the other guy said try different oil first.