5th gear suddenly crashes

[goltho]

Today when changing up into 5th, the gear crashed as if I'd not used the clutch correctly, but has continued to do so. Once engaged, it runs without noise but the gear lever is a little sloppy. No other gear is affected. It feels like a syncro problem.

Any ideas? Thanks.

1997 406 Estate 2.0 petrol

[steve_earwig]

That does rather sound like the synchro is toast. Is there any oil in the 'box? If there is you could try changing it and maybe slipping some moly in there but it might be too late.

[goltho]

That does rather sound like the synchro is toast. Is there any oil in the 'box? If there is you could try changing it and maybe slipping some moly in there but it might be too late.

If it is the synchro, how much of a bitch is the job?

[steve_earwig]

Probably a real one, it'll need special tools and stuff. Probably do-able but, with all the time and parts, it'd probably be easier to get a 'box out the breaker's.

[GingerMagic]

In the old days, the 5th gear was on a separate lay shaft, slightly above the rest of the gears, but still a pain to do as you need to remove the gearbox. May as well take the plunge and try to find a low mileage replacement or just stick to 4th gear....

[davew]

my old xantia td had the 5th gear replaced along with the syncro rings years ago, but i would have though it would be much cheaper now just to pick up another box, it's rare for them to fail so a s/h box should be fine and you can get them really cheap.

[goltho]

Thanks for the responses. I'm persuaded to go for a replacement box (didn't take much persuaion though...). Car's only done 62,000 miles so I guess I've been unlucky.

[GingerMagic]

That is very low mileage, maybe find a local gearbox specialist to put the car on a ramp and check the linkages, for a couple of beers, before taking the plunge on a replacement box

[Bailes1992]

Give it an oil change with genuine Peugeot oil.
I had "synchro failure" on my 1.9TD apparently but was totally cured after an oil change.

Make sure it's Peugeot stuff though, they don't like anything else!

[Doggy]

Also worth checking it's not an external gear linkage problem - you'll be less than impressed if you get another 'box only to find something loose on this one.