Noisy gearbox bearings

[Kester_holmes]

My daughter just bought a 2008 berlingo 1.6Hdi and unfortunately the gearbox bearings are noisy when driving in gear, loudest in 4th and 5th gear.

I’ve never done a clutch or gearbox before. So trying decide whether or not to take it on.

Would you try gearbox oil first, or is it too late?

Does a standard clutch change also deal with bearings, or will that be an additional gearbox repair?

Thnx.

[PaulC5]

If the gearbox bearings have worn shown by whining then to replace them means dismantling it. Bearings are cheap enough from a bearing shop but it is the labour if you can not do it yourself. If it is more than just bearings and gears are needed it can become expensive. A cost effective option may be a used gearbox. Whilst the gearbox is removed if is often worth replacing the clutch. If you have not rebuilt a gearbox before you will need a workshop manual and possibly special tools. An engine crane would be useful to lower it to the ground since they are heavy.

[Kester_holmes]

Thank you for the advice.

Ah, I don’t think I have patience or workshop to take the gears apart! Although guess a gearbox place may be able to work on the box more cheaply, if I remove it.

I may try and source another box, albeit I get the impression berlingo gearbox/clutches are often problematic ….

I presume I have little recourse in going back to the private seller, who must have know about this problem …

Cheers

[xantia_v6]

It is possible that the noise is caused by low oil level, and topping up the oil may improve things to some extent.

[Steve Walsh]

Bearings in a manual box are not that difficult to change but you will need a reasonable selection of tools, and access to a press. The bearings themselves are not expensive from a bearing supplier but buy a decent brand... Draw yourself a diagram and take photo's of how it is before you dismantle.... I haven't done one for a few years but I think the bearings cost me about 50 quid.....

[Kester_holmes]

Ha! Thanks for the encouragement. Albeit I’m not confident, esp without a workshop and press!

For now, I can’t even figure out exactly how to check and fill the gearbox oil (probably being a wuss!). Is the check level plug on the back of box, near where driveshaft enters it? Top bolt in this photo?

Do I fill it through this, or need to remove battery and cover to find a fill port on top?

[Kester_holmes]

Sorry ignore me, I found a YouTube that shows it’s further outside nearer the wheel. I’ll give it a go.

[PaulC5]

The Citroen gear boxes often do not have a level plug, instead you drain the oil and then refill with the correct amount through something on top such as the vent.

[Kester_holmes]

By way of an update: we’ve just returned from a 3,500 European road trip and while I still feel the gearbox is perhaps slightly noisy, we made it back!

Dunno whether the small amount of gear oil I managed to get in sorted it or what, but I’m very relieved!

Garage said they could change bearings by going in thro the end, so only £450 odd, which will not be as bad as feared, if that has to be done in future at some point.

The berlingo has been brilliant, with 49.5mpg and brilliant as a micro camper, thanks to a design I followed from Berlingo forum