Gearbox reconditioning info needed

[Cottis]

Hi all,

Just posted up wanted ad for a 3b box for my S2 as mine is getting a little noisy. Having an oil change shortly but long term makes sense to sort out a proper plan B.

My mechanic suggested I try ACE gearboxes in Northampton for a rebuild but they claim they cannot get the parts and therefore cannot rebuild or exchange a box for me. Seems odd as I have heard a few good things about them.

I understood that the parts required for a 5spd box were more easily available than the 6spd???

Anyone know much about these boxes, if the gears ,bearings etc are available and a good gearbox expect or company that could do the work.

Thanks

Andrew

[Error404]

Try Central Axle Services in Birmingham

[Cottis]

Cheers Alex, they will be next on my list.

[pixsaudisex2]

I would try them top honest service...
Did work there for seven years never ripped anyone of ever...

[Cottis]

Just spoken to Tim at Central Axles. Really really nice straight forward chap. Will be dropping the car off with him later this week or early next for a nice reconditioning. Looking forward to having it back already.

Thanks for the recommendations people.

[Error404]

[Fat Audi 80]

How much if you don't mind me asking?

[Cottis]

Not sure exactly but when I mentioned that I was maybe expecting a bill for something approaching 4 figures, he laughed and said no chance. For the 5spd box, he reckons it will be the pinion bearing, so he believes all the bearings will need replacing and he can assess what else is going on, but he seemed to think it will be unlikely that it would need anything else. £150ish for the parts he mentioned and then whatever labour is involved, so I am guessing £500ish maybe. Fine by me and more importantly, they can do all the work including keeping the car, so I dont have to faff about getting another box to recondition.

As expected, the gearbox oil change has done nothing (just like Tim said) The noise is still there and getting worse. My mechanic also found a breather pipe collapsed. He found one on the shelf that Audi still have, so that should be fitted soon. Once the box is done, it should be good to go. Happy days

[Fat Audi 80]

Sounds good.

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

Good to see your box getting sorted and for a reasonable price by good guys with a really good reputation! One company i will be wanting to use if needed.

One question i have.Was the 7A 5 speed gearbox used on other audis? I have read the ratios are superb but that the final drive starts to wear showing up as a faint grumble/whine?

[Error404]

Don't think so... 7A quattro box was the ASZ.
Ratios are not that unusual, I hardly noticed when I fitted a CGR 01E, except I had an extra cog.

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

My referring to superb ratios was a ref to what a good journalist had written about the car when it was brand new.He mentioned that the ratios suited the car well compared to other audis of the time. I certainly enjoyed stirring the box when i had my FWD Saloon 7A on the road.It was that decent it became a pleasure to use. My 2.8 cabby 5 speed box feels the same effortless to use maybee its the same box?

I am asking this as i have a low mileage 7a box but it did have a permanent wheerrrring sound to it albeit quite faint and thinking it might have been a pinion bearing on the final drive going if that is the right expression and might get it repaired if it was worthwhile.

[quattrodave]

From experience and the bentley manual (I stand to be corrected) the 7A box is the same as 3B S2 5 speed and 10v in both the B3 90 and coupe, it tops out at around 125 in the 10v 90 and 130 in the coupe, 140ish in the 20v 7A saloon and over 150 in the S2, due to the different tyre sizes, all are same 4.111 final ratio you just change the drive shaft flanges depending on model fitment.
I remember when my dad broke his gearbox in his 10v B3 saloon we fitted a box and rear difff out of a V6 but the 3.9 ratio really ******ed up the acceleration from a standing start, better fuel economy on the motorway however.

[Error404]

Not quite.
The boxes all share the same casings. ASZ (20v) and AXM (10v) boxes have the same ratios but as you rightly say the output flanges are different. The 3B ARV have different output flanges again, but importantly the gear ratios are totally different too

[Sonic]

VRS in Northampton recently rebuilt my ABY box with a new synchro / gear assembly.