Technical 2016 TA Cross - Reluctant Gearshift

[Wasted Spark]

Car is a 2016 Cross 4x4 TA. Just noticed this yesterday and I'm pretty sure it's been a sudden change rather than a gradual one. When cold, the gearchange is fine, smooth, easy etc. But with a bit of warmth it's becoming reluctant where I really have to be very patient with changes and use a bit more force on the gearstick. At first I thought it might be clutch hydraulic issue and it still might be but I notice that if I slide from neutral into first with my foot on the clutch, there is no reaction from the engine or rev gauge which seems to imply to me that the clutch isn't dragging. No sign of clutch slip either. Any obvious things to start looking at?

If nothing else, I'm thinking that it wouldn't be a bad idea to replace the clutch fluid and lubricate the linkage cable ends. After that, not so sure...

Thanks in advance .

 

[Funky Spike]

For me this sounds like the first sign that I had that the DMF was on the way out. A slipping clutch followed some time later.

Spike

 

[RalphM]

May be worth checking the oil level if it's done over 60/70k then maybe a oil change on the gear box.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Do a search I believe Herts Hillhopper did a revealling post and showed a straight forward fix for a similar issue. Clearly its not uncommon.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Panda 2012+ Cure for a stiff gearlever, Multijet 4x4 Herts hillhopperin guides.

Cure for a stiff gearlever, Multijet 4x4

One or two folks have reported issues with the gear-lever becoming stiff to move, and not freely springing back to the centre position. I investigated the issue, and managed to cure mine by removing a rod on the outside of the gearbox and...

www.fiatforum.com

 

[Wasted Spark]

Many thanks all. Some stuff to look into there. I'll get stuck in over the weekend.

Panda Nut, I had found that thread and I'll take another look but I'm not sure that's issue. With the engine off or the car cold the gear lever moves around just fine, and actually even when it's difficult to engage gears the general action of the gearstick is fine, just engagement is difficult.

 

[Eltezz]

I don’t know what your mileage is but if it is anything over 30K my money is on the DMF…

 

[Wasted Spark]

I don’t know what your mileage is but if it is anything over 30K my money is on the DMF…

Car is on 110k miles so...

I don't have tonnes of history for the car so I don't know for sure but one would have to assume it's probably been done before but also that it could certainly need doing again. No other symptoms yet so I'm half hopeful but might as well plan for the worst. I see a full DMF and clutch kit is about £300 but I haven't found a good DIY guide out there yet. Either way, this weekend, I'll have a poke around and see if there is anything else that it might be otherwise, maybe I'll just get stuck in on the DMF. I'd rather pre-emptively deal with it before winter if it is that.

 

[Eltezz]

I would be very surprised if you can get a DMF and a clutch kit for £300. Let’s hope it’s not that. Best of luck!

 

[Wasted Spark]

Arrrgh, really starting to look like DMF! Drove the car a bit today to see if I could be a bit more accurate with describing the symptoms. It's inconsistent to say the least as the car is at times driving completely normally but there are now times when the drive line is starting to feel really rough and I think I'm now hearing a rattle that is stopped by depressing the clutch....

So, time to get the spanners out.

Anyone have any comments on a suitable kit? I'll do the clutch and release bearing at the same time and probably a few other 'while you're in there' jobs. Are LUK parts any good? I'd never heard of them but google seems to suggest they're well regarded.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/luk/23466828

There's a Valeo kit too but twice the price. But I don't want to do this twice so if that's the one to go for, I'll just have to do so.

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/valeo/23137798

 

[Eltezz]

Luk is recognised as a reputable brand. I had a DMF and clutch fitted the start of this year, both Luk parts. While in there, the Fiat Workshop also advised to fit a new clutch fork and collars, new slave cylinder and new flywheels bolts.

The combined price for the Luk kit on Autodoc is very good if you do go for it.

 

[Panda IIs]

Arrrgh, really starting to look like DMF! Drove the car a bit today to see if I could be a bit more accurate with describing the symptoms. It's inconsistent to say the least as the car is at times driving completely normally but there are now times when the drive line is starting to feel really rough and I think I'm now hearing a rattle that is stopped by depressing the clutch....

Do you get a rattle through the gear shift especially 2nd and third maybe 2-3kRPM? That was my experience with a TA 4x4.

Here's some pics of the broken one... Note the damage around the gearbox primary shaft casting, a little more than cosmetic but it all went back together ok and damage subsequently attributed to "weight reduction or light weighting"!! Also eccentricity of the failed DMF plus this looks like it was a LUC kit (the first replacement) it's now on it's second...