[Ronin]

Hey all,

Total mechanical noob here, so I bring this to the brains trust.

My Vitara has a hilarious thing that it does where 3rd and 5th gears move the gearstick quite a bit. So much so that 5th gear will actually drop out entirely if I go from flat strap to no juice (like when reaching the top of a hill).

Have had a greaser tell me it's probably the synchros and that they're enough of a pain to do that just getting another gearbox is much easier and cheaper. But I noticed yesterday that the gearbox mount underneath the car is oil soaked and feels like a soft sponge. Could it just be a simple matter of the gearbox is moving under torque and I just need a new mount?

Cheers guys, Russ

[fordem]

It's probably going to be a lot less expensive to replace the gearbox mount than to replace the gearbox, so I would certainly try that first - it is more than likely the cause of your problem. As for the greaser - the only problem that worn synchros will cause is grinding when shifting gears - they will not cause movement of the shift lever, and they will not cause the gearbox to jump out of gear.

[Ronin]

That was my thinking. And since the mounts clearly fucked it'll need replacing either way...

Plus while I'm down there I can hopefully rip off the gearbox and do the rear main while I'm at it.

[bumstein]

I second that notion. Plus you might want to find out why it’s covered in oil!! If your pulling the box out to replace the rear main seal, give it some love while you’re in there

[Ronin]

It's covered in oil from the rear main. It's got a brutal leak in it that needs attention.

[bumstein]

You’ve got it covered!! Report back and let us know if that fixes the issue