[eyspy]

First up, Hi. Finally after reading the instruction properly I managed to join this forum and it looks like a good spot to be.

I have a 1999 Grand Vitara with the 2 litre JB motor with 5 speed manual.
I have some bearing noise problems.
Sitting idling it's getting quite noisy in the box. Put the clutch in at it all goes away.
Driving there is some noise in all gears but not too bad, but 5th gear is the worst.
Local mechanic is guessing that it may be the induction bearing ?

Anyways, I am on an invalid pension so cash poor time rich. I have reasonable mechanical skills picked up over the years being the inquisitive son of a mechanic (deceased), so I am thinking of attempting to fix it myself.

I have tools and a workshop basically equipped, will try and source a workshop manual that is written for the novice (any hints here on what where and how much ??

I love this little car, so I don't want to get rid of it, but spending the quoted $3000 minimum to repair the box on a $5000 car is too much for me to bear.
My question is: How hard is it really to fix a manual gearbox ? Am I stupid trying to take this on, or would it be worthwhile and save a stack of $$$ in labour ??


Second problem:

In trying to source 2nd hand gearbox's (found to be rare as hens teethe!!), I found a whole car with the V6 motor (really cheap) which is the one I really wanted anyway. Problem is it's got a very noisy timing chain.
Same questions as for my above car, How hard is it really to fix a manual gearbox ? Am I stupid trying to take this on, or would it be worthwhile and save a stack of $$$ in labour ??

Cheers Gary

[Scrawny]

IF it is in fact bearings in the gearbox, then you'll need access to a press to get them off. Not really a hard job but certainly time consuming and also involves heavy lifting.

My first suggestion would be to change the oil in the gearbox to see if this helps at all. I've had noisey gearboxes quieten right down by using Castrol VMX-80 oil.

It does sound like a bearing noise, input bearing would make that. Does it shut up in 4th?

[eyspy]

Have a press, time rich, did the oil, and 4th is quiet (not 100% but quiet)

[Scrawny]

Pull it out and have fun!

Take heaps of photos if you're unsure as you disassemble. Make sure you have a large bench you can spread out on too. Check back in when any issues arise.

[eyspy]

Will do that scrawny, cheers. You forgot to add "keep the shed door shut so your 4 kids don't get in and use the sorting bench as a play area"

[Scrawny]

That goes without saying! My 4 are pretty good mostly but I try to keep important things out of sight/reach

[pete_79]

I should have taken a photo of my timber topped work bench after my 2 kids decided to hammer a full box of 30mm long bullet head nails (like 200 of them) into the top and side of the bench.

It only took the kids about an hour to fill the bench with nails while I was servicing the Jimny, but it took me bloody ages to pull them all out.

[eyspy]

Kids, don't you love em......

pete_79 wrote:

I should have taken a photo of my timber topped work bench after my 2 kids decided to hammer a full box of 30mm long bullet head nails (like 200 of them) into the top and side of the bench.

It only took the kids about an hour to fill the bench with nails while I was servicing the Jimny, but it took me bloody ages to pull them all out.

[VitNick]

If the noise goes away with the clutch in sounds like throw out bearing, not gearbox cheaper to fix but still requires gearbox coming out.
J20 stuff is hard(er) to find, but does come ever now and then, I just keep an eye out at local wreckers and on here and so far have found most stuff I've needed for my SV Vit.

[eyspy]

VitNick wrote:

If the noise goes away with the clutch in sounds like throw out bearing, not gearbox cheaper to fix but still requires gearbox coming out.
J20 stuff is hard(er) to find, but does come ever now and then, I just keep an eye out at local wreckers and on here and so far have found most stuff I've needed for my SV Vit.

Yes it goes away when clutch is in. noisy through the gears not so bad in 4th, but back into 5th gets worse.

Rare as bloody hens teethe, have searched everywhere with no luck. So I bought another Vitara (2001 V6), will fix the timing chain on that one, then drive it, then fix the box on this one, then keep one as a spare for a similar situation in the future if it arises.

[fordem]

VitNick wrote:

If the noise goes away with the clutch in sounds like throw out bearing, not gearbox

Let's think about this a bit ...

Q - What does the throw out bearing do?
A - It transfers the clutch operating force from the stationary clutch fork to the rotating pressure plate.

Q - When does it transfer that force?
A - When the clutch pedal is depressed.

Q - What happens when the clutch pedal is released?
A - The clutch fork retracts releasing the clutch operating force.

Q - What happens to the throw out bearing when the clutch fork retracts?
A - The bearing moves away from the rotating pressure plate.

Q - Does the throw out bearing continue to rotate after it retracts?
A - No - it is no longer in contact with the pressure plate, so it stops rotating.

Assuming the clutch is correctly adjusted (and the GV has a self adjusting hydraulic clutch), the throw out bearing will only rotate when in contact with the pressure plate (ie, when the clutch pedal is depressed or "in") - if the noise occurs when the pedal is depressed, chances of it being the throw out bearing are good, because that is when the bearing is rotating - if the noise stops when the pedal is released, it is unlikely to be the throw out bearing, because the bearing is no longer rotating.

Noises that stop when the clutch is depressed are almost always transmission related.

[fordem]

eyspy wrote:

Rare as bloody hens teethe, have searched everywhere with no luck. So I bought another Vitara (2001 V6), will fix the timing chain on that one, then drive it, then fix the box on this one, then keep one as a spare for a similar situation in the future if it arises.

Please be aware that there are not a lot that interchanges between the I4 & V6 power trains - engines & transmissions are different and so are the axles - body parts, steering, suspension etc. can be swapped.

[VitNick]

My bad screwed that up in head. when throw out bearing went in mine it was only noisy when clutch pedal was out. It was rattling around like crazy until pressure was on it.

[eyspy]

VitNick, thats fine mate, thought it was what u meant