Gearbox?

[Stroppymonkey]

Recently having a small issue with the gear box in our tin tent. 2012 FWD 6 Speed Transit. When dropping down into second gear, when halfway back up with the clutch we are getting grinding/clashing. Fine on all other gears Up and Down. Only on second when coming down into it under engine braking. If you double clutch it seems to then be fine.

I have almost 0 knowledge of what goes on inside a gear box... but I fancy (and googled it) that it could be syncromesh issue? Transits known for getting stretched cables on the shift... so I am hoping its that rather than anything more serious.

If I end up having to get a new/recon box, I would love to get the gearing lower. The van has very 'long legs' and 6th is pretty much unusable. Combination of FWD / 3.5 (ish) actual weight and AT Tyres dont help make the factory gearing any nicer. I asked this question of my old garage about 20 years ago when I was having multiple gear box issues on a FWD MK6 LWD 350 5 speed.... the answer then was no... but the world has moved on since then. Is it feasible/affordable to rebuild a 6 speed ford box with lower gearing? And if so.. who does it!?

 

[V8Druid]

Recently having a small issue with the gear box in our tin tent. 2012 FWD 6 Speed Transit. When dropping down into second gear, when halfway back up with the clutch we are getting grinding/clashing. Fine on all other gears Up and Down. Only on second when coming down into it under engine braking. If you double clutch it seems to then be fine.

I have almost 0 knowledge of what goes on inside a gear box... but I fancy (and googled it) that it could be syncromesh issue? Transits known for getting stretched cables on the shift... so I am hoping its that rather than anything more serious.

If I end up having to get a new/recon box, I would love to get the gearing lower. The van has very 'long legs' and 6th is pretty much unusable. Combination of FWD / 3.5 (ish) actual weight and AT Tyres dont help make the factory gearing any nicer. I asked this question of my old garage about 20 years ago when I was having multiple gear box issues on a FWD MK6 LWD 350 5 speed.... the answer then was no... but the world has moved on since then. Is it feasible/affordable to rebuild a 6 speed ford box with lower gearing? And if so.. who does it!?

I'd say if double de-clutching cures the issue, you've a synchro ring well to the woods

 

[Gecko]

Another vote for the syncro.
I'd have a look to see what oil is specified is the 2012 manual and see if the big oil companies are still recommending the same thing - if it's different, try that.

A very quick search says that model had two diff options - 3.73 or 4.10.
If yours has the 3.73, then yes, the 4.10 would drop all gear ratios.

Smaller tyres would also achieve a drop.

 

[Stroppymonkey]

I'd say if double de-clutching cures the issue, you've a synchro ring well to the woods

My fears confirmed

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Another vote for the syncro.
I'd have a look to see what oil is specified is the 2012 manual and see if the big oil companies are still recommending the same thing - if it's different, try that.

A very quick search says that model had two diff options - 3.73 or 4.10.
If yours has the 3.73, then yes, the 4.10 would drop all gear ratios.

Smaller tyres would also achieve a drop.

There’s a site somewhere where you can get all the original build spec of a Ford …. Will have to look to see what I have . It’s the same model as my daily work drive and that seems better geared

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Another vote for the syncro.
I'd have a look to see what oil is specified is the 2012 manual and see if the big oil companies are still recommending the same thing - if it's different, try that.

A very quick search says that model had two diff options - 3.73 or 4.10.
If yours has the 3.73, then yes, the 4.10 would drop all gear ratios.

Smaller tyres would also achieve a drop.

Smaller tyres hard to achieve . 15” rims won’t fit over calipers. Running 215/75/16s. Maybe could drop the profile and save a bit . Not sure it would be noticeable ?

 

[Diggerdavey]

I'd say if double de-clutching cures the issue, you've a synchro ring well to the woods

Yes absolutely this. Synchromesh no longer functioning on second gear I’d say. Gearbox oil change may improve things for a little while