YACT: Gearbox dying?

[moonshinemadness]

I recently bought a 95 Ford Escort 1.8TD with a manual gearbox. Today was driving to see a friend when I went to go fourth to fith gear and as i pushed against the side of the gear box something gave way. (Didnt put much pressure on just quite a loose gearbox anyway so i did it to make sure i was in the right posistion as i always do). Whatever happened has now caused several worrying symptoms.

A) Huge amounts of play within the box and within gears.
B) Reluctancy to go into 2nd gear and reverse (For second the gearstick has to be pulled at an angle, plus it doesnt seem to go in completely)
C)Tendancy to jump out of 2nd gear and reverse
D) A knocking/tapping sound when gear stick is moved side to side in neutral.

All gears work but as said, reluctantly, in 2nd and reverse. Havent had any refusal to move. No other odd sounds.
Is this something relitively simple to fix or could i need a replacement box?

Thanks for any help

Mikee

Edit**: I know this isnt a car forum but its worrying me somewhat and i know a few people here have a wide knowledge of cars.

 

[NutBucket]

Sure sounds like it. The amount of play is very suspect.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Very doubtful that it's the gearbox itself. Sounds more like the shift linkage has a problem. The shift lever is not part of the "gearbox". What it seems like to me is that a joint or a bushing in the shift linkage has given out.

ZV

 

[TheAudit]

This happened to me and my Jeep Wrangler in college. I couldn't get it into reverse, or first for that matter, and there was a LOT of play in the stick. I can't remember what the problem was but, no, the whole transmission did not have to be replaced. My mechanic considered it an easy job and it was really inexpensive to get fixed (transmission did not have to be dropped). Sorry I couldn't be more specific but I'm not mechanic.

 

[moonshinemadness]

Oh damn you guys you rule, i hope your right, im in college and can't affford huge repair bills

 

[The Stigenator]

probably the springs on either side of the shifter..

my toyota tercel did that, never affected me.. no biggie..

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
probably the springs on either side of the shifter..

my toyota tercel did that, never affected me.. no biggie..

No. Not with the symptoms he described. The springs would not cause it to be loose when in gear, that is a linkage problem.

ZV

 

[MystikMango]

I bought a '65 Mustang that the owner said had transmission problems. He was asking $1200 at the time, and I talked him down to $1000, stating if I had to repair the tranny, he should eat the cost. He agreed and I bought it for $1000.

I nursed it home, took the center console out and looked at the hardware connecting the shifter to the tranny. There was a bolt missing. I replaced the bolt and the transmission worked flawlessly. Lesson learned: A little investigation can save you a lot of money.

 

[Hubris]

Mmmm....'65 Mustang.

 

[moonshinemadness]

thanks all, im checking out the old haynes manual already

Originally posted by: Hubris
Mmmm....'65 Mustang.

I concur :beer:

 

[Quixfire]

It sounds like you broken the transmission gearshift rod-to-shift lever bolt (#11) or the transmission gearshift rod and clevis (#12) in the picture. I would jack the car up, with jack stands, and inspected the shifter linkage for any broken bolts or pins. Let me know what you find.

Picture

 

[Eli]

Yeah, I'd say its a linkage problem.

 

[Spikesoldier]

this is alot like my mazda protege.

anyway, check to make sure where #13 is, to be sure that bolt is tight as well, or remove and check if the bushing is broken or severely worn.

when i replaced my stock bushings with an aftermarket one along with my short shifter, there is NO play at all. no questions about it, either its engaged or not, and i always know.

 

[moonshinemadness]

thanks, im gonna get it over a pit tonight. Quixfire. Gimme a few weeks on the roses