Gearbox Synchros and Replacement question

[mitch]

Finally got round to getting Renault to diagnose the 3rd gear synchro issue in my R27..

Que a quote for £2200 to fix plus a call to RUK.
Contribution of 60% offered. Still nearly £900 quid from me to fix it.
I've haggled to no effect so far, currently waiting for someone more senior to call me.

Car is 57plate 46k miles owned by me for 3.5 years

what do people think on the offer so far - I think it sucks and Renault should be offering more like 80%?

There are a few new one's on ebay for £350 and current box refurb would cost me £300ish to repair the box inc posting to and fro ..

So how big a job is it to remove /replace a box? I'm fairly handy with spanners but would expect it would be a ball ache to do on the drive?.. Especially as I can't really use my right hand currently :S

 

[Willis]

They've actually offered you more than they normally would.

The engines and gearboxes have a guarantee of 100,000Miles. The usual course of action is if you have have done 46,000Miles or 46% of that ''life'' then they would only offer to stump up 54% of the bill. That's how they seem to have done things in the past with a few other people at least, so that offer you've had is quite generous really. However, there is a deeper debate that the gearboxes have knowingly been faulty for some time now and they've never officially acknowledged it as a manufacturing problem despite changing the gearbox internals four times for various reasons... It's one for Watchdog.

If it's any use to you, I have a gearbox that has a buggered housing although the internals are fine with no crunches. I'd be happy to let you have it for a very keen price considering that you'd need to swap the internals into your housing or find another housing for them elsewhere. It's just sat in the corner of the garage looking sorry for itself at the moment so I don't want much for it to be honest...

Anyway, on the drive it'd be a sh!t job to be doing. Especially with one hand!!!

 

[CL10]

They've actually offered you more than they normally would.

Possibly. How much they offer also depends largely on brand loyalty, i.e. has the car been maintained within the Renault network. So any goodwill contribution will differ from case to case.

What should be consistent, however, is the repair cost throughout the network. Just to give you an idea of how far off I think this is, I got a 90% contribution and the 10% that I paid amounted to £153.

They're quoting you almost £700 more for the repair than I paid (all through RUK and Renault dealerships).

 

[mitch]

I should point out I've had many renaults in the past and am considering a 250 /65 for the next car. It has a full dealer sh bar one oil change using gen filters etc at a specialist.

I think I score pretty high in that respect..

Good point cl10 I will call around for other main dealer quotes..

Out of interest what mileage age etc did you get 90% at?

 

[CL10]

Make sure you point out your loyalty then mate.

My gearbox was repaired at 17k and 36k.

 

[Mason]

Mitch and CL10 maybe a stupid question with a simple answer like just call RUK and tell them about it but how did you go about getting a percentage off repair costs of the gearbox. I'll speak to them soon and see what % I can get from them.

 

[CL10]

Just call RUK CS to explain your situation if you're unhappy, I honestly can't speak more highly of them and the way they have dealt with my issues.

You're welcome to quote the common issues found by owners on this forum, but remember that only a percentage of owners are on here and negative posts are always going to be more common than positive ownership experiences. Not that I don't agree that the gearbox is a common issue (like I say, I've been through a few) but don't expect RUK to admit to it.

Feel free to PM me if you want any details of my case.

 

[mitch]

Any other comments from anyone on how long it will likely take to remove replace a gearbox?

 

[marshall]

3 days for mine. Then 18months complaining of issues after.


Good Luck :thumbsup:


Its quite a big job. Subframe off, along with steering rack etc etc. Then you've got the job of removing it from the bay on the drive.

After all that you then have to try and line the new one back up before replacing everything removed.

 

[mitch]

and what about a "proper" mechanic? 1/2 day, day

 

[Mason]

I'm no 'proper' mechanic haha but if I was going to get money off a new box or find a repaired replacement to change mine I'd give my self a day at work on a ramp.

But then I haven't changed a 197 gearbox yet so don't really know what the jobs like only looked under the bonnet and the car to get a ruff idea.

 

[mitch]

Cheers guys spoke to ktec today they say 6 7 hours so not a small job...

 

[mitch]

So, when I get it changed should I risk it or should I look at getting a clutch / maybe slave cylinder at the same time?

And come to think of it what else to consider.. bushes? Gearbox mount?

 

[marshall]

Id deffinately do the clutch and slave cylinder just to save you having to take it all apart again in the near future if the clutch goes.

 

[Chrisgti6]

definately change the clutch and slave cylinder. Otherwise if it goes in a few months time you'll be paying for another 6 - 7 hours labour! £$£$£$

 

[Mentalpen]

Just to clear some miss conceptions up.

1. Renault will contribute 40% with that milage
2. CS is stumping up the rest so its them you need to natter.
3. Gearbox comes with the slave cylinder.
4. You will virtually always have to pay something and you want to so it comes with a warranty even if its just a tenner.

 

[mitch]

Not sure I understand point 1 and 2. I have been speaking to ruk customer services. ?

 

[Mentalpen]

Renault and Renault UK customer services are two different things.

So if you are getting 60% contribution, Renault is giving 40% and Renault UK customer service 20%.

 

[mitch]

Ah I see. I don't care which pot of money they use, as long as the amount I pay is reasonable.

I have now been offered 75% btw..

 

[Mentalpen]

Agreed you don't care who pays but I thought it would help you see how much help you are getting it from. In affect you are at 75% but getting 35% help if that makes sence.