Hmmm. So the car (2011 Vauxhall Astra Estate) started to make a high pitched whining noise a few weeks back. I suspected the gearbox, its done 90k, which isn’t much, but the box is an M32 (according to the internet) and Issues around this mileage are not uncommon.
Anyway, took it in to get some quotes. They say it’s needs a new/recon gearbox. They also recommend changing the clutch, as the labour costs would be the same, and they’d need to take it out anyway to fit the box.
Long and short £1,500 for a recon gearbox and clutch, fitted. I’ll get some more quotes but is there a ‘do nothing’ option?
I guess the noise who’ll progressively get worse as the bearings continue to wear, but how long do you think it would keep me going before it fails? 5k, 10k, 30k? And what happens when it eventually fails.?
Also any other advice on where to buy / any experience?
Thanks
Jon
IIRC they upgraded the gearbox casing on those gearboxes.
If you happened to be near Glasgow, I could recommend a very good gearbox specialist who would probably do the complete job for a lot less than that. IIRC it cost a guy at work £600 to get one rebuilt by them, but that was with him removing and refitting it himself, with them collecting the gearbox, and dropping it back a couple days later.
I bought a Laguna, with a buggered box. Renault wanted 2.5k to replace the box. A bit of google-fu later, £35 for a new bearing and 300 notes to a local gearbox guy to replace the race...