The dreaded 2005 gearbox issue!

2002 are the early ones and are a different gearbox and are good. It's 2005 to around 2008 that have issues

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

paradox1001 wrote: Ahh mines a 2002 so could possibly be one of the boxes that have problems.
Might be an idea for me to change the oil as a precaution

Your box is a R7ME mate pretty strong these boxes fill it with some redline MT90 it makes a difference

Cheers Martin and jack
That’s good to hear and one less worry

The sealed bearings became standard from late 2009, I just missed it with an early 2009 model.

£700 for a gearbox refurb with a new bearing kit from an independent gearbox specialist is about right. That's what it cost me in Aberdeenshire, which is similar to London in prices due to all the oil money floating around.

Harry N, I have a full replacement bearing kit available. It's the good quality set (only Koyo etc bearings, none of the cheap crap). Here's the link from where I got it:

Link - Ebay Seller's Page

I'll take £70 for it (posted) if you're keen...

Hi Venter and everybody else.
Many thanks indeed for the rapid responses. I was no way expecting to get answers so quickly!
Sounds like I will deffo go to a gearbox specialist and get the bearings done. Venter - more than happy to purchase the bearing kit. Ping me an email on h.naerger@ntlworld.com and I'll sort out a BACS transfer.
Martin - Do you know of a specific gearbox place in Berkshire that you would recommend? I'm not far from you in Camberley?

If you are going to a specialist, they will want to supply the bearings & parts, or they won't put even the slightest guarantee on their work.