08 VVT gearbox (again)

The saga continues.....
My wife reported that it had started to make a noise in 3rd and 4th gear only. All the other gears are fine.
It sounds similar to the problem Martin had some months ago although mine is more "whirry" than clicking.
Problem is I'm 68 and no way am I lying under a car outside this time of year.
To that end can anyone recommend someone in the Kettering Northants area who could do either the removal/replacement of the gearbox and/or the complete strip/ rebuild of the gearbox as well??

I've sent off some enquiries to local gearbox specialists around the Northants area but I don't expect any replies till next week.
I don't mind travelling a little way if the price is right.
Even if a s/hand gearbox was available unless it was low mileage and recent I wouldn't touch it as the reliability couldn't be counted on.
If it was a better time of year I would have a go at removing it myself but I don't really have the room especially if the car was disabled for any length of time.
As a matter of interest if anyone could have a look at the gear ratios of the pre VVT box and compare them to the VVT box on a standard car with standard tyres would it pull 5th gear and/or would 5th be like an overdrive??
I'm not well up on gearing and get a bit lost when trying to work it out.

For your info. Mine was done by 3D transmissions in Reading, Berkshire. However you would have to consider how you were going to deliver and collect the car as they were not good on their estimate of the time it would take.

I can arrange for the correct gearset to be sent directly to them if it helps.

Martin

I think Reading is a bit too far for me.
When I get some quotes back I'll have a better idea.
The car has now soldiered on to 61000 mls sometimes pulling a caravan so by VVT Jimny standards it's not bad although most cars go on for years with no gearbox problems.

Just a thought but if I can't get another gearbox or can't afford to get this one fixed does anyone have a small/medium estate car that they might be willing to swap?
Would consider a 4wd Ignis??
I need a towbar or at least one capable of towing a small caravan and nothing higher than the road tax on the Jimny (preferably cheaper lol)
It's a grey jlx+ with very recent road tyres (sorry offroaders)
Ebay prices are all over the place but gearbox aside I would put the value at £4k +. Everything works apart from the keyfob (and the gearbox) :laugh: Still drives ok.

How bad is the noise? Could you keep driving it? It might not get any worse for many many miles. Check the oil for metal and if it's all good, I'd live with it.