gear box on its way out?

[Big Spender]

On my mums 1999 S plate Nissan Micra GX, the gearbox seems to be on its way out (or at least i think it is).

Problem 1:

For a while it has been very problematic with getting it into reverse, sometime it will slip in just fine other times it just plain and simply doesnt, usually have to double clutch it or use extreme force to pull it into reverse.

Problem 2:

When i drive, and im in second and going to shift into 3rd, i push it out of second, dont push it over to the center (let it naturally spring into the center position) and then push it into 3rd, but lately it hasnt been springing, its just moved over slightly, then when i go to push it into 3rd it usually gets caught on the stick guide, or whatever it is, and then i will usually avert my eyes from the road to retry getting it into 3rd. Then later when i parked up i tried moving the stick, and when i moved it to the right and let go, it sprung back to the center by itself, but when i move it to the left and let go, it just moves back slightly and doesnt move back to the center under its own power.

From what i've said, do you think the gearbox is on its way out?

And if it is, what can be done about it?

Totally new gearbox? (what sort of price would i be looking at?)

Repair job? (again, what sort of price would i be looking at?)

 

[thedazman67]

Because of the complexities of gearboxes its better just to get a reconditioned one than to try and repair an existing box. check your local breaker yards should find one for cheap.

thedazman

 

[Dandle]

From what you've described I would say it sounds like the clutch is dragging(not fully disengaging). Check you hydraulic fluid is at the correct level as the clutch is the first thing that will not work properly if its low and make sure the master and slave cylinders aren't leaking. If it is the clutch it can be fixed by putting a new pressure plate on the clutch although if your going to that effort its worth putting a whole new clutch assy in. It doesnt sound like the gearbox is knackered to me though.

 

[Big Spender]

what about the problem with it not naturally returning to the central position when moved to the left? it returns fine when moved to the right but just doesn't feel "springy" when moving it to the left.

 

[Dandle]

what about the problem with it not naturally returning to the central position when moved to the left? it returns fine when moved to the right but just doesn't feel "springy" when moving it to the left.

It could possibly be worn linkages that could cause the same problems. You really need to have a look at it and eliminate one thing at a time. I would phone some of the places that recondition gearboxes(from the local paper or autotrader) and they will probably tell you over the phone what the more common problems are with micra gearboxes and maybe even tell you what is wrong with yours if they've seen enough of them.