Hi guys, been having some problems with my gear box recently. It feels very stiff when changing up and down gears and there is always a loud grinding noise when putting the car into reverse. Is the gearbox shot and am I looking at an expensive replacement or is there something a bit less extreme going on? Cheers guys any help appreciated.

(2010 Grande Punto, 1.4 with 76,912 miles)

The stiff gear changes are probably because of the selector cables. a little Teflon spray between the cable and it's sheathing should get them moving easier.

The reverse grinding that could be caused by not pressing the clutch hard enough or by the car still moving (even slight movement of the car can cause grinding in reverse as it has no syncros.

Couldn't comment on the cause but i will say you're not an awful distance from Halifax Gearbox and clutch centre. These guys are tops at sorting out gearbox and clutch issues.
I recently drove from southampton and back to get my gearbox bearings replaced based on others recommendations. A full set with hubs for £400, they know they're stuff and not many places do this work without taking the entire gearbox out.
In and out in 3 hours!

Personally I'd check the cables (as suggested above) and the clutch

Those are classic symptoms of clutch drag. The clutch is not fully disconnecting the engine from the gearbox. My daughter's 1.2 does it. The pedal, as has been said, needs to go right to the floor. Check the clutch slave cylinder for leaks (pull the rubber gaiter off it and see if it's wet inside. I've just had to replace the one in the daughter's car. Even now, it's not great, but better than it was.

Avocet said:

Those are classic symptoms of clutch drag. The clutch is not fully disconnecting the engine from the gearbox. My daughter's 1.2 does it. The pedal, as has been said, needs to go right to the floor. Check the clutch slave cylinder for leaks (pull the rubber gaiter off it and see if it's wet inside. I've just had to replace the one in the daughter's car. Even now, it's not great, but better than it was.

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cheers mate how much do u think I'm looking at if it is the slave cylinder?

jacobtribe said:

cheers mate how much do u think I'm looking at if it is the slave cylinder?

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The parts themselves are not too expensive https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=2374&sku=268321


(Do please double check that part before you buy if you do so just in case I have not selected exactly the right model for your GP)

That's about what I paid (it might even have been from them)! Relatively easy job. Hardest part is swapping the hydraulic hose going into it if yours is rusty. I got away with ours but you might need to budget for a new hose too.

Unbolting the old one and fitting the new one is just two easy bolts. Bleeding the new one can be difficult and if there is even the tiniest bubble of air in it, you'll still crunch gears! Search for "bleeding, clutch, slave, cylinder". There are quite a few threads on it.

Don't forget if you subscribe to the forum there's a discount with Shop4parts too

Thank you everyone life savers!!