Does anyone else think the BE3 gearbox is rubbish?

[VertVega]

... Notchy, stiff, and sometimes crunchy, I just think they are simply awful boxes and really let down what is otherwise a good car...

I disagree totally, even after 200k miles plus!

[colski]

It does seem that i've been unlucky, I use to own a Xantia HDi 110 with the MLT5 gearbox which was a lovely smooth and easy change.

[Toby_HDi]

It does seem that i've been unlucky, I use to own a Xantia HDi 110 with the MLT5 gearbox which was a lovely smooth and easy change.

My ML5 also suffers from being difficult getting into reverse. Putting in first is helps. Being that the ML5T uses a hydraulic clutch, if the clutch is dragging how would one go about adjusting it?

In reference to the above quote, mine isn't brilliant. I do find it a tad 'wooly' The same can be said of every ML5T gearbox I've owned, which is 3 of them - one Xantia HDi 110, one Activa and the 406 Coupé

[Deanxm]

Almost every manual gearbox ive ever owned can have fault found with it really, all my transit ones crunched through the gears untill warm, mainlt 1st to second though, my Merc wouldnt come out of 1st sometimes when cold, the Renault master sometimes wont shift into any forward gear (R,1,3,5) which makes it interesting to drive then sometimes it wont go into 4th but this is rare.
Both BX's ive owned needed to rest before finding reverse or they had a bit of a crunch, the Activa box is ok but is a little vague and crunches into reverse sometimes, And dont get me started on the wooden spoon in a bowl of porridge that is the ford manual box, or the nissan Cabstar's.
In fact the only perfect manual ive ever driven was a 6 speed in a Boxster S with 17k on the clock, read into that what you will.

D

[SwissSPEC]

I'd go with the guy's who suggest that its a clutch issue. I experienced the exact same problem, new clutch & 1st & reverse were nice & smooth with no crunching or with difficulty in selecting them either. You might be lucky & its just worn selector rods/arms, worth checking those 1st as that's cheaper than a clutch change.

Any idea when the gearbox oil was last changed? Might be worth doing anyway & won't cost much.

If your'e clutch pedal still feels light rather than heavy, then it's unlikely to be the clutch.

[dnsey]

If yours is a manual adjust clutch cable, it's a five minute job to take up a bit of slack and see if that cures the problem.

[colski]

Found out what the problem was, I actually feel a bit

My floor mat was stuck under the clutch pedal so it wasn't going down far enough to select the gears smoothly.

Gears feel good now, thats a relief!

[SwissSPEC]

I was going to suggest that, but then i though surely he would have checked that

[dieselnutjob]

to be honest if the clutch is engaging when it's only a floor mat thickness off the floor, then it needs adjusting
that's too low

[andmcit]

Panic averted! I love these kind of fixes. I had a GS that had acceleration issues
and a similar fix - things you pick up along the way!!

Andrew

[falling-out-with-my-car]

try changing the gear oil and before full mix up a tube of molyslip with some of the oil it makes a big difference I have changed my gear oil about three times in six years, once when changing driveshafts and the gearchange has improoved no end,
no more tight gearchanges when the box is cold, the oil stays nice and clean now.if your a little heavy handed it can be difficult try a lighter touch when changing gear (try changing with your thumb and two fingers instead of your whole hand) a gentle push and the gear lever should move very easily.

[Xaccers]

try changing the gear oil and before full mix up a tube of molyslip with some of the oil it makes a big difference I have changed my gear oil about three times in six years, once when changing driveshafts and the gearchange has improoved no end,
no more tight gearchanges when the box is cold, the oil stays nice and clean now.if your a little heavy handed it can be difficult try a lighter touch when changing gear (try changing with your thumb and two fingers instead of your whole hand) a gentle push and the gear lever should move very easily.

Or, try a new car mat which can be screwed onto the carpet so it can't slide up and cause the problem again

[falling-out-with-my-car]

I put the grippy stick on velcro on the back of my matts and that sticks to the carpet and stops the matts traveling up toward the pedals.

regards Nigel.

[Xaccers]

I put the grippy stick on velcro on the back of my matts and that sticks to the carpet and stops the matts traveling up toward the pedals.

regards Nigel.

Excellent suggestion Nigel

[falling-out-with-my-car]

in amongst all the confusion in my brain I do come up with some good ideas.............occasionally
if you would like the official name for the velcro it is called
"velcro Hook Fastner-pressure sensative, Adhesive Back"
dont ask me anything about making clothes & sewing cos I havent got a clue I needed to know for a little invention I put together with velcro. and my Dad looked it up. (Thanks Dad).