The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

hey guys

suddenly whilst driving the rex other night it was hard to shift into first and second gear. it does go in eventually but then tough to get out again. but 3rd,4th,5th all work fine. i only just swapped this box a month ago and has been working fine all this time. called up maximum motor sport (subaru specialists) and the dude reckons its the selector fork inside the gearbox. and he quotes around $1200 to fix which is money i dont have.

Does anyone know how hard it is to crack open the box and fix/replace it?
or whether its easier to just take it somewhere n get it done professionally.

cheers

Matt

Subafury wrote: Does anyone know how hard it is to crack open the box and fix/replace it?
or whether its easier to just take it somewhere n get it done professionally.

cheers

Matt

Its probably easier to get a pro to do it.

But it all depends on how confident you are on cracking open the box and fixing it....its not a huge job but if you don't know your way around the box its a pretty daunting task.

Matt.. if you want to pull the box out and refit once fixed, I'll help you with fixing the selector fork

sounds good so far paul that would really help.

i should of added. does it def sound like a selector fork? or could it be something else.. wanna be 100% on it before i pull the box out.

If you're getting all the other gears (3-5) then I'd say it sounds like it's internal, so if it's not the fork you're still going to need the box apart. Sorry

if you need matt i can come around tonight or sometime during the week to help ya remove the box.

damn gbox, im still getting the grease off my hands from last time!

as a question, does anyone know what could cause a bent selector fork?

alex

The standard fork are made of cast alloy and aren't very strong (bit like the rest of the Subie 5 speeds). It's down mainly to being rough on it but also from the selector hub wearing and trying to slide on the gearset at a weird angle. All can be seen once the box is apart.

I might have a spare in the shed if you need one it ill be the weekend before i can remove it and send it to you

if you have trouble finding one send us a pm

Could pull just the transfer case section to see if the forks reciprocals are in the right position,just a matter of the end sections of the gear box.
Have to remove the linkage tail shaft and centre diff. Can do whilst still in the car. Also means the gear box is much lighter to remove if not that.

Just thought there is a side stopper/spring arrangement in there to return the gear lever to centre.
Could be checked with the above.

Morcs wrote:Could pull just the transfer case section to see if the forks reciprocals are in the right position,just a matter of the end sections of the gear box.
Have to remove the linkage tail shaft and centre diff. Can do whilst still in the car. Also means the gear box is much lighter to remove if not that.

Just thought there is a side stopper/spring arrangement in there to return the gear lever to centre.
Could be checked with the above.

True and would be nice if the car was on a hoist.

chances are i may have a spare 1 if needed mat but as for the problem cant really help much

thx tristan but luckily (well not really) i busted another gearbox which i still have sitting in my shed. should be able to use the fork from that, or any other bits i need. they should be the same i hope.

box should be out tonight then ill give ya a msg paul

Subafury wrote:
box should be out tonight

sighs...cant wait LOL

Could lift the rear of the car a bit more so you can sit underneath it. Spare wheels make excellent blocks under the wheels. Get it high enough an you dont have to drain very much oil at all

Mine was in my Brumby (rs lib drive line) so may be little more room. I was able to remove centre diff and weld it up with gear box still installed.

Have not got my hoist yet so Nothing like your knees for a transmission jack.

Subafury wrote:box should be out tonight then ill give ya a msg paul

No probs.. I'll be ready

Morcs wrote:Have not got my hoist yet so Nothing like your knees for a transmission jack.

God.. those were the days but now I'm too old and have a back that I'd love to swap with anyone

ill be there helping tonight...well helping = putting my lightforces on my lib haha

and ill be 'helping' drink alcoholic beverages.

alex

so check it out. it did end up being a bent selector fork - but only because third had chipped off some teeth and jammed it. wasnt expecting that.

so rather than replace that im looking at replacing second on my original 3.9 aus spec box. possibly with a new one for a bit more strength.

i didnt even get the fun of breaking these gears myself, just happened. i hate subaru gearboxes!

4.11 box with smashed 3rd



3.9 box with smashed 2nd.

Put straight cuts in if you can afford it, I did in mine when it blew 2nd and i would never look back at doing it And thats a girly break too



2nd gear missing some bits..

Suby Roo wrote:Put straight cuts in if you can afford it, I did in mine when it blew 2nd and i would never look back at doing it And thats a girly break too


2nd gear missing some bits..

Geez.... what happened there and how did the fork go wrong - any theory?

I'm trying to blow up my box but it seems I am too gentle!
Cheers
AP