Gearbox or clutch ******

[kramer81]

Taken my car to 2 different garages, the 1st one said I need a new gearbox, the second said I need a new clutch.

I think it is probably the clutch myslf. Basically it is quite stiff to change gear, especially putting it into 1st or reverse. When it is in either 1st or reverse there is a rough grinding/tapping noise (the clutch is always depressed to some extent though), and the car doesn't pull away smoothly . Ive noticed the noise happens even when I just put my foot on the clutch without putting it into gear, though it is quieter. There is no noise when I am driving in any specific gear.

Also, I can put it into any gear easily when the ignition is off.

What do you guys think?

PS Is �220 reasonable for a new clutch and release bearing?

Its a 2000 Ford Fiesta 1.4

Cheers

[cazzz1975]

hard to call but I would err towards the gearbox, it should be harder to put into gear when the ignition is off, take it to a gearbox reconditioners who will check both for you

whats it like if you pull away in 2nd?

[kramer81]

What I mean is it is as easy to go through the gears with the ignition off as it is normally.

I can't pull away in second unless Im on a slope.

The problem doesn't seem as bad if I pull away (in 1st) with a lot of revs.

I can't see any gearbox reconditioners in the yellow pages.

[chas2008]

try looking under transmission services/specialists. As cazzz says not always easy to diagnose these problems but bear in mind gearbox has to be dropped out regardless, once out it should be fairly obvious if its the clutch or not.

[dm1982]

sounds like the release bearing is about to collapse to me. either that or there is a problem with the spring loaded part of the pressure plate that the release bearing pushes onto when you press the clutch. gearbox out i would imagine regardless

[kramer81]

OK thanks guys.

If it's the release bearing can I just get that replaced? or do I need a new clutch with it?

The mechanic said it's good practice to get the release bearing changed as well as the clutch, implying that it wasn't part of the clutch( unless I'm mistaken and he was talking about a different bearing).

Sorry I don't know much about clutches...

[chas2008]

always wise to replace both, clutch kits use to come with bearings but a lot of modern vehicles have a combined bearing and slave cylinder which is more expensive ,and im sure this vehicle is one , so you get the option of purchasing it seperately.

[bigboots]

Early fords were prone to dificulty selecting first/reverse when the clutch was worn out
I think the fiesta is the same4 as the KA and the puma where the release bearing is part of the slave cylinder, last one i replaced was �90 ish just for the slave cylinder/bearing, and i would advise you have it changed when the clutch is done as it is a lot of labour to replace it if it fails later

[kramer81]

Thanks guys, I got a quote for the whole shebang for �175. I hope it really is the clutch!

[kramer81]

Problem solved, thanks