Gearbox problem - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

holtsaber · 9th April 2006, 16:05

I suspect I have a nasty and probably expensive problem developing with my gearbox.
My beast is a 1992 3.6, but I'm not sure of the box variant.

The problem I have is when driving..... with enthusiasm.... every gear change from third to fourth results in a nasty 'crunch'. It always goes into gear, but it's not happy.
If you drive normally, the gearchange is fine.

I'd be very grateful for some advice as to what the likely component failure could be, and how extensive the repair process would be.

I live in Mid-Wales on the coast and don't know of any specialist anywhere close. I'm coming up on an inspection 2 being due for which my dealer who is 85 miles away has quoted me £750. If anybody knows of a decent engineer who can look after my M5 in this area, I'd be most grateful.

Thanks

Adam

farrell · 9th April 2006, 16:48

Hello
Sounds like sychroniser cones (synchromesh) giving up.
The box will run for a long time with this fault.
If it does not whine too much in the gears, then I would not worry.
If the box has done more than 150k miles, then you may want to consider rebuilding it as this is the only way you will address the synchromesh issue regardless.

budgeet for more than £1000 for a rebuild.
Buy a used box....risky
Buy a new transmission....expensive at over £2k.

There it is

Regards
Farrell

Sebring NL · 9th April 2006, 18:35

PM Geach..He's breaking an E34 M5

holtsaber · 9th April 2006, 22:15

Thanks for the guidance.
The box doesn't whine at all, it just crunchs on high speed changes into 4th, but it does still go into gear okay.
I was just worried that it may deteriorate. I think I'll leave it for a while and see if it gets any worse. The car has only done 93K and I only use it on weekends!

Any suggestions for where to get an Inspection 2 done, or should I accept BMWs £750 charge?

Regards,

Adam

farrell · 9th April 2006, 22:25

Find a specialist by reputation.
Stealerships have neither the knowledge or expertise to work on these cars.
Doubtful if if they have ever had the expertise either.

Best of luck

Farrell

Stevie · 9th April 2006, 22:43

Do a fluid change. Dealers are known to ahem... "forget" to change it......

holtsaber · 9th April 2006, 22:58

Thanks Stevie.

I'm due an inspection 2 service, so I'll make sure it's done by someone who knows what they're doing and get the box oil changed too!

illjah · 10th April 2006, 03:34

i had this on my old 5speed but going into 3rd from 2nd.

Try a change to redline atf might help a little, but as farrell says there aint a lot you can do without spending a reasonable amount.

madm5 · 10th April 2006, 10:41

This is exactly what was happening to mine- a crunch in to 4th only if you are driving hard. Mine was getting progressively worse, I expect every time you crunch it you are wearing it away a little more. I'm just hoping the box I picked up off ebay will be ok.

Quote:

Originally Posted by holtsaber

I suspect I have a nasty and probably expensive problem developing with my gearbox.
My beast is a 1992 3.6, but I'm not sure of the box variant.

The problem I have is when driving..... with enthusiasm.... every gear change from third to fourth results in a nasty 'crunch'. It always goes into gear, but it's not happy.
If you drive normally, the gearchange is fine.

I'd be very grateful for some advice as to what the likely component failure could be, and how extensive the repair process would be.

I live in Mid-Wales on the coast and don't know of any specialist anywhere close. I'm coming up on an inspection 2 being due for which my dealer who is 85 miles away has quoted me £750. If anybody knows of a decent engineer who can look after my M5 in this area, I'd be most grateful.

Thanks

Adam

andy36 · 10th April 2006, 20:49

Must be a pretty common trait with the Getrag 280/5 boxes as both my current M5 and the M6 I used to own had these symptoms. I covered over 20,000 miles in the M6 and didn't see any deterioration, however the M5 box would occasionaly stop you getting 4th altogether! The input shaft gear and laygear were damaged on this box (very noisy) so it has now been replaced anyway.
Incidentaly I have had the basic bearings and synchros rebuild carried out on a few gearboxes over the years and my local specialist charges between £250 and £400 excluding removal / installation depending on what it is. I can P.M their number if you like, they are in Preston, Lancs.