Citroen Xsara , Dodgy Diff (gearbox)

Neilsouth · Post by **Neilsouth** » 05 Nov 2009, 17:15

As i said in another thread my Diff has gone , gearbox is in good condition so i was lucky there. However when i went to ask the bloke how it was getting on , another Citroen Xsara was up on ramps with Exactly the same problem , Diff!

1) Are the diffs bad in Xsara's?
2) How much am i looking at for a Gearbox out , Diff Rebuild and gearbox back in job?

EDIT : I believe the parts that are busted are the Crown Wheel & Driving Pinion

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 05 Nov 2009, 17:47

in the region of 1.5 to 2 days labour + parts , I reckon the parts will be at least £200.

Post by **CitroJim** » 05 Nov 2009, 18:50

Gearbox repairs can get very expensive.The bits are dear and few garages undertake the work themselves due to the specialist nature of the job and the need of special tools.

I'd suspect the diff planetary gears have broken up but the problem is that the whole 'box will need stripping to inspect for damage and to clean swarf. It's a good day of solid work. I reckon you'll be lucky to see change from £500 if you have a dealer to the job. A good gearbox job is never a quick one. I reckon on a week to rebuild an autobox properly and not much less for a manual.

Your best bet is still to get a 'box from a scrapper or look for a recon one. Are you going to remove and refit the 'box yourself Neil?

flying clutchman · Post by **flying clutchman** » 05 Nov 2009, 19:54

Yes , crownwheel and pinion sounds easy enough but the pinion is fixed to the shaft, so gearbox has to be stripped apart. I'd go for a 2nd hand one every time.

Neilsouth · Post by **Neilsouth** » 05 Nov 2009, 20:35

It's being reconditioned....

Got my dad to phone up and found out what's going on with it before they undertook the costly job , he knows the guy well.. Apparantly the gearbox was already being reconned.

Safe to say i was annoyed , i wanted a full price first before the job was done. An argument nearly started

I miss my MR2!

mark21td · Post by **mark21td** » 05 Nov 2009, 23:50

All the PSA gearbox's in the small engined cars are weak, broken diffs are a comon fault.
That said I've not known a diesel box to give up (not a 1.9 or 2.1 anyway).
I've changed the box on a 306 1.4 petrol for a scrap yard job only for it to go again 1k later.
I have an AX 1.0 to do soon, also the diff.

Neilsouth · Post by **Neilsouth** » 09 Nov 2009, 16:14

YAY CAR IS BACK ON THE ROAD!! , woohoo.... £500 all in that includes gearbox rebuild new diff parts and a new clutch , i saw the clutch myself it was bad.Some Good news at last!

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 09 Nov 2009, 16:23

Thats a good deal , hope all is now ok

Post by **CitroJim** » 09 Nov 2009, 17:12

HDI wrote:Thats a good deal , hope all is now ok

Yes, it was

I was pretty close with a guesstimate of the cost.

Knowing what had to be done, I wonder how garages make a living...

Neilsouth · Post by **Neilsouth** » 09 Nov 2009, 20:04

Thanks guys!