Simon's new Xantia V6 and Leaf blog

[Mandrake]

I've been out having a look under the bonnet today and have realised that the idea of lowering the gearbox to the ground from above with a chain lift is totally infeasible.

The onboard charger (and to a lesser extent the inverter) completely overhang the gearbox on the passenger side - the lifting hole for the gearbox is completely obscured. There is nothing to attach to that isn't overhung by the charger.

So it looks like the only way to get it out the bottom would be from below by lifting the car on a hoist with the gearbox resting on a stand.

So that pretty much evaporates any thoughts I had of trying to do this job myself. Time to swallow my pride and let the experts do it!

[white exec]

It could be the most pain-free option, Simon, not least on a sloping drive, and in weather.

[NewcastleFalcon]

So that pretty much evaporates any thoughts I had of trying to do this job myself. Time to swallow my pride and let the experts do it!

Not sure you need EV experts to do the job Simon. There are probably competent mechanics within few miles of your home who, with the equipment lifts hoists gearbox supports etc would be more than capable of removing driveshafts/mountings, and those 6 bolts that actually hold the gearbox on, and putting a replacement one in its place, and giving you the one they have taken off for examination.

I can see that Cleevely tick the "confidence" box, just on the evidence that they knew the box could be removed without dismantling the "stack" of Charger/inverter and have quoted a very reasonable price for the job. For you a trusted repair with some warranty for their work, and hopefully a definitive cause identified.

If I was Cleevelys, I would be very interested in doing the job. They have had a lot of good publicity in EV circles, Fully Charged regularly visit, and the issue of EV "repair" expertese, and training (or the lack of it) is very topical for a bit of further publicity. If they want to grow and expand into a market not really catered for by the current maintenance and repair industry your particular repair can only contribute to being a "go-to" company for repair work in on EV's, on a UK wide basis.

Yes if I was Cleveleys I would make your job happen, I would video the process and the story, use it as publicity and marketing through their own web presence/you tube/social media/ev forums/fully charged.

Again hope whatever you decide to do works out well. Its an interesting story only half told so far. Fixing and getting back on the road is top priority, but revealing exactly the cause of the problem which others may face solving is intriguing too.

Regards Neil

[Gibbo2286]

When I did the auto box on the C5 I used an old roof rack, the sort that sits in the rain gutters, with a bit of reinforcing as a support for the engine.

I guess your Nissan motor is much lighter than a 2.0 litre HDI so maybe that would suffice for your needs.

The AM6 auto box weighs in at 93Kg so more than your engine and box combined.

[NewcastleFalcon]

When I did the auto box on the C5 I used an old roof rack, the sort that sits in the rain gutters, with a bit of reinforcing as a support for the engine.

I guess your Nissan motor is much lighter than a 2.0 litre HDI so maybe that would suffice for your needs.

The AM6 auto box weighs in at 93Kg so more than your engine and box combined.

That autobox job you did on the C5 was quite something to take on. I had the same job with the same box with the Vectra, and left it in the hands of the wallet-emptiers! Tremendous credit and respect due to you on that one Gibbo

For those who haven't read Gibbo's tale of the C5 without a gearbox he saw on his walk and rescued its here in the thread he entitled "On my Walk".

viewtopic.php?p=541591#p541591

Regards Neil

[Mandrake]

So that pretty much evaporates any thoughts I had of trying to do this job myself. Time to swallow my pride and let the experts do it!

Not sure you need EV experts to do the job Simon. There are probably competent mechanics within few miles of your home who, with the equipment lifts hoists gearbox supports etc would be more than capable of removing driveshafts/mountings, and those 6 bolts that actually hold the gearbox on, and putting a replacement one in its place, and giving you the one they have taken off for examination.

You and I know that but most non-EV garage won't touch the job because they don't have experience working on EV's and they're scared to take the risk. I've already asked my local Indy who does work on the Xantia and has replaced a suspension arm on the Ion before and they said no.

[NewcastleFalcon]

You and I know that but most non-EV garage won't touch the job because they don't have experience working on EV's and they're scared to take the risk.

Yes I see that. Just a thought! and hence my "support" for the Cleevely's route in the rest of the post (ditto for Electron garage).

Maybe Electron Garage, if their original quote was based on a worst case of removing charger/inverter/motor/gearbox from the car, and all the associated ancillary disconnections and dismantling, with confirmation from a reliable source that the gearbox can be removed without that, and that you have now sourced a replacement, may be able come up with a reduced quote.

Face to face is always better in such things and it may be interesting to see their operation at Glenrothes first hand but it would be a 100 mile ish round trip I guess. Still they seem very friendly...from their webpages...

Just get in touch with our team and pop into the garage for a cuppa whilst we fix any issues you may have!

REgards Neil

[Mandrake]

I've been waiting at home today for the Gearbox to be delivered and it has now arrived.

It came in a large pallet delivery truck strapped to a small pallet with a plastic cover taped over it.

It seems to be in good condition and I cut the cover off to inspect it before the driver left.

Sadly the pallet is a little too big to fit in the boot of the Leaf otherwise I would have just put it straight in there. So I'll have to repackage it to fit it in the back of the Leaf in a way where it won't roll around and get knocked about. The two engine mounts are still attached making it a bit of an awkward shape. Hopefully I can find a box and some foam at work tomorrow.

[NewcastleFalcon]

Well done, a very large piece of the jigsaw falls into place.

Regards Neil

[Gibbo2286]

I've had the C5 for five years now, it's had its moments but running now better than ever, fingers crossed.

[mickthemaverick]

I've had the C5 for five years now, it's had its moments but running now better than ever, fingers crossed.

That's good to hear Gibbo as you were having a fuelling issue with it when we dropped in if I remember correctly!!

[Mandrake]

That's the gearbox all padded and packaged into a new box and stuffed snuggly in the boot of the Leaf ready for the car to be collected.

I just need to find who is going to do the job for me. I'll get onto the phone tomorrow to see if I have any luck.

A poster on speakev found a nice underneath photo of the Leaf with the under tray removed which makes it clear that this is a relatively easy job - if you have a two post lift and a couple of gearbox jacks that is! One jack to support the remaining motor/inverter/charger stack which is somewhat heavy and only left with one engine mount, and one to lower the gearbox down..

Without a two post lift and a gearbox jack or two it would be too difficult though.

[NewcastleFalcon]

I just need to find who is going to do the job for me. I'll get onto the phone tomorrow to see if I have any luck.

Not much to go on other than a webpage, but reading it I would think they are more than capable of taking your specific job on. I guess all you expect of them is to remove the old box, and install the box you have provided.

You could as you wish just get them to return the old box to you intact, or maybe open it up and see exactly what went wrong. Removing gearboxes and installing gearboxes is their bread and butter so they should be able to take it on. Whether they will or not is another matter.

I would think a trawl of "gearbox specialists" could be more fruitful than general garages, even though as you pointed out before the "we cant get the parts to repair the box" got a knockback.

https://www.topgear.uk.net/

Top Gear,
5 Cathcart Place,
Rutherglen,
Glasgow,
G73 2RB
Phone Number,
0141 613 1881 07385290563
07385290563
Call Us

Regards Neil

[Mandrake]

https://www.topgear.uk.net/

Top Gear,
5 Cathcart Place,
Rutherglen,
Glasgow,
G73 2RB
Phone Number,
0141 613 1881 07385290563
07385290563
Call Us

Regards Neil

From their FAQ page:

Will you fit my secondhand gearbox?
Sorry but no. We are often asked to fit a secondhand automatic gearbox that a customer has bought. We have no idea wether this will be any good so regrettably we do not want to be involved in this, we do not want to be in the position of charging someone to fit a gearbox that doesn’t work.

Granted they say automatic gearbox, (where risks of it being bad are much higher) but still, I don't think they would be interested in fitting a gearbox they have not sourced, especially if it is on a car they are not familiar with.

By the way, the cheapest transport quotes I have found via Shiply one way to Cheltenham is £370.

[Gibbo2286]

There are a lot of transport companies listed, many of the regulars would be happy to give you a price as a return load if they're going your way.
Put "Transport my car postcode to postcode." in search and see what pops up.