Gearbox is fubar - where to source new one?

[m0l0t0v]

So, after wanting to replace the input shaft bearing for ages and being screwed over by the synchro bearing kit not being the right size and wasting my weekend, my gearbox finally gave up and I'm currently stuck on the side of the road waiting for recovery.

 

So, gearbox is currently stuck in "5th". I say with the "" because when I release the clutch pedal, nothing happens. Car won't attempt to even move forward and revs don't drop. I can't shift out of "5th". Either with the engine on, off and/or with the clutch down or not. Clutch itself seems to be working fine/as normal and doesn't feel any different. If I try and shift out of "5th" without pressing on the clutch I hear the usual gearbox whine noise. 

 

So this all leads me to believe that it's more than just a simple bearing overhaul and more to do with the synchros, etc. 

 

Surely this now means a new to me gearbox is the way forward. But where do I source one? Last I looked on eBay I could only see some gearboxes for like £300 or more from mainland Europe... :/

[Krzys]

That doesn't sound good at all, if you've had it apart once before is it not opening it up again to see what's happened?

 

For an MB3 any D series box should do the job.

[Dave]

Sounds serious bud. Might be worth taking it apart again like krzys says, although not a lot you can do with gearboxes if you're not a specialist. You'll find a d series gearbox in most breakers yards mate, very easy to come by. Phone some local breakers and ask if they have any 1.4, 1.5 or 1.6 civics in. Even one from a 3 door should fit I think.

[Guest Finch]

Depending on how much motorway driving vs fast road etc you might want to switch to a different gearbox i.e motorway driving you might want a D16 box, or fast roads and town a D14, better get-up and go just a shorter top end ratio gear.

Be aware that although most are identical the EP/EU shape models have a slightly different bolt position and some have a different spline count on the shafts - Go for (EF/CRX upto EJ/K) 88-00 and you'll be fine

[m0l0t0v]

Cheers guys.

 

What price am I looking to pay? Cheapest I've found on ebay is 150 delivered... Am I looking at cheaper prices through breaker yards? And, err... do I need to take the gearbox off myself or do they do that? May be a silly question but never used breakers before...

[Dave]

A lot of them you need to do it yourself but due to health and safety rules most will remove it for you mate. Not sure on the going rate for one but think at a breakers it will be below the £150 mark

[Guest Finch]

I got a price of £45 from a breaker recently in the midlands

[m0l0t0v]

Well I managed to get one for £85 with 80k miles on it. Going to replace the main shaft bearing anyways since it seems to be a regular failure and I don't fancy removing the gearbox ever again!

[Dave]

Glad to hear you got one mate. Id put a new clutchbin there too if you havent already.......means itll many moons before the gearbox ever has to come out again 

[KiNK43]

On 28/01/2017 at 3:37 PM, Guest Finch said:

Be aware that although most are identical the EP/EU shape models have a slightly different bolt position and some have a different spline count on the shafts - Go for (EF/CRX upto EJ/K) 88-00 and you'll be fine

Not to mention. They use cables to shift the gears.

Edited February 1, 2017 by KiNK43

[m0l0t0v]

On 2/1/2017 at 9:24 PM, Dave said:

Glad to hear you got one mate. Id put a new clutchbin there too if you havent already.......means itll many moons before the gearbox ever has to come out again 

I replaced the clutch August last year... Though I have a feeling the clutch may be fubar from when I was trying to not stop/brake down in the middle of rush hour in Guildford after a road had been closed down... Right smack bang in the middle... Will see when I take it out tomorrow.

 

I also took out the gearbox to replace the input shaft bearing just before new years but was sent the wrong size bearings... Then this happened. 

 

And since the bearing is a common failure on these Honda's I'd thought I'd play devil's advocate and replace the bearing on the new gearbox. Glad I did as the one in the new gearbox had failed too! thankfully the rest is in good nick. Smooth gear operation. Now to fit it in tomorrow morning  Glad I saved myself several hours for £15 now...