Slow gear changes after gearbox rebuild

[Lewis Watson]

I got my gearbox rebuilt on my 2012 Clio 200 @ ~70,000 miles back in November after my car developed a crunch going into third gear. When I got the car back I found the gear changes frustratingly slow when I was pressing on. There was a bit of resistance before the stick went fully into the gears, which ruined the fun for me.

I got in contact with the garage I got the work done with and they offered to try a different gearbox oil. Its been couple of weeks since the oil change and I think it improved things, but I still find the gear changes frustratingly slow at times.

All the engine and gearbox mounts were replaced with new OEM parts just before 3rd gear started crunching. I also discussed fitting a new clutch while the gearbox was out but was advised against it as the existing one had plenty of life left.

I was wondering if anyone else had a similar experience after a gearbox refurb? It seems to be a common procedure on these cars but I haven't heard of similar stories.

 

[Abdulla Ali Al Ali]

What is the transmission oil grade you are running with at the moment?

 

[RSRowe]

Was the slave cylinder replaced at the same time?
Bleeding the clutch mag help things

 

[Foxspeed]

you should have had the clutch changed unless it was less than 2yrs old...false economy not to when the box is out!

 

[Lewis Watson]

What is the transmission oil grade you are running with at the moment?

I'm not sure of the specifics of the gearbox oil but they initially put in automatic transmission oil, then they replaced the oil with something more like what renault originally put in it, but a bit lighter. This was all based on the recommendation of the transmission expert in Falkirk who replaced the synchros.

Was the slave cylinder replaced at the same time?
Bleeding the clutch mag help things

The slave cylender was replaced. I wonder if the garage will try bleeding the clutch next.

you should have had the clutch changed unless it was less than 2yrs old...false economy not to when the box is out!

That was my thinking too, but I went with the advice of my mechanic. Hope is wasn't a mistake... Both the garage and transmission expert both have decent reputations so I'm going to keep the faith a bit longer. I called them today and it looks like the next step will be to take the car back to them so they can attempt to figure out what the problem is. Fingers crossed

 

[littleg78]

I noticed something similar after having my clutch changed: it sometimes takes a bit more effort to push into gear when you’re pressing on and changing up near the top of the rev range.

I bought some new engine and gearbox mounts that should firm things up - but no idea if they’ll help.

 

[Lewis Watson]

I noticed something similar after having my clutch changed: it sometimes takes a bit more effort to push into gear when you’re pressing on and changing up near the top of the rev range.

I bought some new engine and gearbox mounts that should firm things up - but no idea if they’ll help.

Did that fix your gear shifts? I suppose people do report that ploybushes have a positive impact on gear changes.

I got new OEM engine and gearbox mounts fitted not long before the gearbox rebuild. Switching to a firmer gearbox mount could be an option. Thing is though, I was perfectly happy with how the car drove back in the beginning of 2020 when it had old OEM mounts.

 

[littleg78]

I bought the polybushes at the same time as a Toyosport manifold, but haven’t had anything fitted yet.

Might have a go at the gearbox and upper engine mount myself at the weekend - the guides in the How To section are pretty good.

Following this thread now in case anyone has other suggestions.

 

[Lewis Watson]

I bought the polybushes at the same time as a Toyosport manifold, but haven’t had anything fitted yet.

Might have a go at the gearbox and upper engine mount myself at the weekend - the guides in the How To section are pretty good.

Following this thread now in case anyone has other suggestions.

Ah, I didn't realise you hadn't installed them yet. Let me know how you get on

 

[littleg78]

So I did a few things today -

1. Had garage change the brake fluid: mast step after I fitt new pads and discs all round.

2. Installed a powerflex gearbox mount - yellow one.

3. Pressure bled the clutch - old fluid looked like sludge, and quite a lot of bubbles came through with the new fluid initially.

I went out for a “proper” drive to test gear change, and everything was perfect - none of the stiffness I’d felt before at high RPM.

Problem is - I don’t know what exactly fixed it!!!

 

[Lewis Watson]

Glad to hear you got it sorted @littleg78 maybe there is hope for me yet! I'm still sorting out a date to get my Clio back to the garage to be looked at. I'll mention the steps you took to sort out your gear shifts.

 

[Lewis Watson]

Just back from A J Kane gearbox repairs in Falkirk. They took the Clio out for a test drive and couldn't fault the gearbox or the clutch. As far as they can tell everything is fine.

It's good to hear that nothings significantly wrong but I'm no closer to figuring out why the gear changes are worse now compared to the first ~3 years of owning the car. They suggested I try a more motorsport orientated gearbox oil, maybe it had some trick oil when I bought the car.

Bleeding the clutch is still something to try too. The quest continues....

 

[bedoef]

The clutch line needs a pressure bleeder to get the fluid out from what I know, so if the garage didn't do that maybe there is some old fluid still in there impacting the clutch.

 

[Lewis Watson]

Fixed! After reading some good reviews of https://www.redlineoil.com/mtl-75w80-gl-4-gear-oil I decided to give it a go. Its been in the car for a few days now and I am happy to report that gear changes are fun again

 

[littleg78]

Fixed! After reading some good reviews of https://www.redlineoil.com/mtl-75w80-gl-4-gear-oil I decided to give it a go. Its been in the car for a few days now and I am happy to report that gear changes are fun again

After a few weeks of no nonsense I had a bit of hesitancy changing from 1st to second - basically hit the limiter, clutch fully depressed, and gearstick had a bit of resistance!

Decided to follow your lead and stuck some Red Line in this morning!

 

[Lewis Watson]

Let us know how you get on with the redline oil