Technical M32 Gearbox whine

[TGBravo08]

Hey


Sadly my M32 gearbox has developed a faint whine in 2nd and 6th gear, noticed it on the motorway. It only happens when in gear and you take your foot off the accelerator pedal. After a bit of research I found it is a very common problem, caused by 2 bearings. GM even do a uprated repair kit, consisting of seals and replacement bearings, why this is not a recall component is beyond me.


Anyway, I have found this place fairly near to me who will repair mine for £400 if I take it to them, much cheaper than most as they have done so many they can replace them without removing the gearbox. They will inspect the gearbox first and diagnose problem rather than just replacing bearings, but say my symptoms are exactly those shown by bearings beginning to fail, and told me to not use 6th gear until I get it to them.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111505990929?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


Anyone else on here used them? if so did it work? as a rebuilt box and fitting is not cheap and as the gearbox is off you might as well do the clutch at the same time.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Normally M32 bearings failure is only in 5&6th gear and is constant when warmed up I thought, not only on overrun

 

[TGBravo08]

Normally M32 bearings failure is only in 5&6th gear and is constant when warmed up I thought, not only on overrun

Take a look here:-


http://www.autolusso.co.uk/workshop/m32-gearbox.html


"Typically you will notice a whining noise when cruising on the motorway in 6th gear. The whining will come and go as you press and release the accelerator."


Way I understand its the bearings for the upper and lower shaft assembly are replaced. Mine is in the very early stages of wear I think, its very faint but each time I visit family down south (3 hours on the motorway each way) I notice it that bit louder).

 

[TGBravo08]

Well finally had my gearbox bearing's replaced today here:


http://halifaxgearboxnclutchcenter.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/HalifaxGearboxes?fref=ts


Cost: £480


They replaced all the bearings and then cleaned gearbox and filled with new different grade oil, they also put more oil in than what is specified. They have repaired a lot M32 gearbox's and said that it is overheating that is causing the early failure of the bearing, they also don't use the "upgraded" bearing you see advertised as they have seen them fail after only 11k miles.


They remove the casing cover and then remove input shafts.

Then fit new bearings:

I had an hour drive home on mixed roads and speeds, and the difference is very noticeable! with very smooth gear changes and no more whine in second & sixth gear, so very happy.

 

[gijohn2]

Id say for under £500 thats very reasonably priced!

 

[rossjay]

mine is whining in every gear at 62000km a take it mines is really bad then lol

 

[Skyperr]

Am thinking of buying either a 1.6 Mjet or a 1.4 MultiAir at some future stage. Are these fitted with the m32 gearbox or one that is equally fragile?

 

[santa]

Am thinking of buying either a 1.6 Mjet or a 1.4 MultiAir at some future stage. Are these fitted with the m32 gearbox or one that is equally fragile?

The 1.6 Mjet are fitted with the C530 (the 6 speed version). That's a pretty solid transmission.
I can't find out which transmission the Multiair is fitted with.

 

[Yellow Peril]

Glad you got it sorted. Any more details on what "...new different grade oil..." and "...more oil in than what is specified..." means on practice?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

The 1.6 Mjet are fitted with the C530 (the 6 speed version). That's a pretty solid transmission.

My UK spec 1.6 Mjet wasn't, had the M32 box and went in 5th & 6th gear!

 

[santa]

My UK spec 1.6 Mjet wasn't, had the M32 box and went in 5th & 6th gear!

That's weird, all I can find on the net, says the 1.6 Mjet has the C530, except if it's Dualogic, then it's the M32.
But thanks for the info
And my 1.4 Tjet did the same, a big whine in 5th and 6th gear. I was lucky it was still under warranty, so the dealer fixed without causing trouble, even though I bought it used.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

That's weird, all I can find on the net, says the 1.6 Mjet has the C530, except if it's Dualogic, then it's the M32.

That'll be it, mine was a Dualogic

 

[santa]

That'll be it, mine was a Dualogic

Mystery solved

 

[rafsteve]

What does the 2.0 have?

 

[santa]

What does the 2.0 have?

I'm prett sure it has the F40.
The Delta with the same 2.0 Mjet and the 1.9 Twinturbo Mjet has the F40.

 

[Skyperr]

So are any of the manual Bravo boxes strong? From reading this thread, T and M jets can have weak boxes

 

[santa]

So are any of the manual Bravo boxes strong? From reading this thread, T and M jets can have weak boxes

The M32 used by the Tjets are the weakest one.
The C530 used by the 1.9 Mjets and the 1.6 Mjets (except the 1.6 Mjet Dualogic which uses the M32) are quite strong and so are the F40 used by the 2.0 Mjet.

So I would go for a Mjet (non-dualogic), if I were to get a new Bravo.

 

[Skyperr]

Apologies for two final questions which hopefully will complete the picture based on something I asked earlier: I'm toying between buying a 1.6 Mjet and a 1.4 MultiAir. Do we know whether the. MultiAir boxes are good? And to complete the picture, what about the box in the big standard 1.4? The latter is in case anyone else asks!!

 

[santa]

Apologies for two final questions which hopefully will complete the picture based on something I asked earlier: I'm toying between buying a 1.6 Mjet and a 1.4 MultiAir. Do we know whether the. MultiAir boxes are good? And to complete the picture, what about the box in the big standard 1.4? The latter is in case anyone else asks!!

The standard 1.4 Tjers has the M32, so that's a bit of a gamble.
I haven't got a clue for the Multiair, sorry

 

[TGBravo08]

To answer a few questions:


The oil is a thicker grade, so not as runny (I will ask them which and post back) and they put approx. 6L in if I remember correctly. Having read on VXR forums' it is common for them to use different oil, it seems the gearbox is badly designed just read through this thread:


http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?182238-Vauxhall-M32-6-Speed-Rebuilds


If you have whining in all gears then most likely you will need all bearings replaced. I had this done on my box as if your paying to have it opened up you might as well do all of them, so £480 for all to be replaced.