Gearbox problem on 2001 Allex ZZE123

[Timoz]

Hi all, there are some problems with my gearbox in my 6 speed manual Allex. It has been making whinning noises and some sort of metal to metal scrapping noises during acceleration and engine breaking also sometimes first and second gear is hard to get into too. I have taken the car to the Gearbox Factory in East Tamaki to have it looked at.

The old guy (looks like the owner) at Gearbox factory took the car and myself for a drive for about 10-15mins and have said the gearbox bearings and/or input shaft bearings are worn and need to be replaced.

He have given me an estimate for a full gearbox rebuild incl labour and fitting (pull out the box, replace the bearings, service the syncros and new fluid using aftermarket parts and reinstall the box) for around $1400-$1500.
As i had no experience in pricing for a gearbox rebuild I'm not sure if this price sound about right. Also what other gearbox places you guys recommend which had experience with the ZZE123 6 speed box??

Would it be cheaper to get the genuine parts (new bearings and syncros and possible an exedy clutch) and ask a transmission repair shop to replace them??

Suggestions are much appericated

[matt dunn]

Would it be cheaper to get the genuine parts (new bearings and syncros and possible an exedy clutch) and ask a transmission repair shop to replace them??

Suggestions are much appericated

Possibly, but I wouldn't recommend that.

If you want it fixed, take it in and ask them to fix it,
dont tell them to replace this that and that,
as when it plays up two months later, it will be a part that you did not ask them to replace that is the problem.

[rollaholic]

as above, and also unless you have hookups you wont pay more for the parts by letting them source them. (as long as they dont charge you more than retail i guess, hah) most places pay their bills with the labour charge, and the owner makes his money on parts - so let him make his dollar.

if you want a second opinion we send our manual boxes to gearboxes'r'us, they have always been pretty good.

[sergei]

may I suggest that it is cheaper to get a second hand gearbox.
Rebuilding your one, could be double the price they quoted if they find anything else at fault. Gearbox parts are very expensive.
I believe that your gearbox is same gearbox for celicas (actually some Celicas have LSD), it should not be too difficult to locate one.

Generally they don't blow up like your one did (assuming the diagnosis is correct).
The most weakest link in those gearboxes are not bearing, but crown and pinion gear and synchros. If you blew crown/pinion the car would be undrivable. Syncrhos don't make noises other than during gear change.

You could ask them to get genuine parts for you (even probably ask them to contact Mark aka I1I, t/s sponsor regarding parts they need).

[Timoz]

Hi guys, Thanks for the suggestions. The car is completely driveable but they recommend don't leave it for too long otherwise it will be a major so I'm not driving it at the moment (lucky i got a second car) since I need to save up for the repairs. So i don't think the Crown/Pinion blew.

The car has only done about 86000Kms so i wouldn't think it is in a very bad shape. The only thing I done wrong is replace the gearbox oil with some Redline 75W90 oil (Not the shockproof stuff) which started all these problems....

If i get a second hand gearbox, i will have not a clue of the condition of the box...which is the thing i'm worrying about. But it would be nice to have the LSD celica box tho LOL

So Sergei how much are the second hand Celica boxes are like?? Any places you recommend to get pricing on this?

I will also pop over to gearbox r us to ask for their opinions too.

[sergei]

I got a C160 from a BZR (got LSD) for ~ $1000 about ~3years ago.
I blew that (crown/pinion) spent another $1000 on parts (new crown/pinion bearing and couple of syncroes) and rebuilt the box myself (semi-myself to be honest, I got subtech to sort out diff clearance). In retrospect I should have spent $500 on C56 with LSD.

Please note that was for a 20V, you will need the box of 2ZZGE engine as 4AGE one would not fit (as far as I am aware), unless you want to get into swapping bell housings (not entirely sure if they are interchangeable).

[sergei]

Also, some one else will need to confirm if the mounts bolt on from corolla to celica gearbox and shifters line up properly. I believe they should...
After doing some research it seems that the shifter is on different side on celica (on the front vs back on the corolla). It is possible to swap these around though (like people who use MR2 gearboxes in Levins and vice versa).

[rollaholic]

if you get a secondhand box from a wrecker, it'll have a warranty. so if its junk, you get another one.

course, you'll still have to pay someone to put it in. unless its much cheaper to go secondhand (i doubt it) i would prefer the repair option personally

[Timoz]

Yea that's what i prefer too. Hey Rollaholic is that the 1:1 scale RX-78 Gundam model they build in Japan?? (The one in your profile photo).

I just hope the rebuild won't cost like 3k......by the way, how much is the heavy duty clutch from exedy?? coz i heard the OEM clutch for the 2ZZGE is crap...just wondering if anyone can hook me up for a good price on one?

[sergei]

Yea that's what i prefer too. Hey Rollaholic is that the 1:1 scale RX-78 Gundam model they build in Japan?? (The one in your profile photo).

I just hope the rebuild won't cost like 3k......by the way, how much is the heavy duty clutch from exedy?? coz i heard the OEM clutch for the 2ZZGE is crap...just wondering if anyone can hook me up for a good price on one?

Just be careful with puk clutches as they tend to break gearboxes.

[Timoz]

oh not the 5 puk clutch lol i don;t need that as it will be pretty much a daily driver car and maybe some spirited driving sometimes. So the sporty normal facing clutch would be fine for me hehe

[rollaholic]

Yea that's what i prefer too. Hey Rollaholic is that the 1:1 scale RX-78 Gundam model they build in Japan?? (The one in your profile photo).

sure is, went to see it last year!

[Timoz]

Hey Rollaholic, do you have a contact that i can talk to at Gearbox R'us as i'm going to headover there tomorrow morning to get their opinion.