HI everybody. As my Escos if off-road I am currently driving borrowed 2WD Saphy for couple days and apart from other problems it shows I have one that I don't know if it's a problem or a feature of the car. SOmetimes when shifting 3rd to 4th gear the gear lever stucks half way and you have to go back to 3rd or another gear to switch into 4th. I don't know - maybe it's just my shifting technique or something? Also generally when shifting gears it gives some funny griding sound. Not like too fast shifting on MT-75 or any other gearbox, just funny sound when it goes into gear.

Maybe this are features on 2WD Saphies, or maybe there is something wrong that can be easily fixed?

 

Hi Azrael.

Doesn't sound good mate, maybe needs a rebuild like ours.

Rebuild kit is Ł175 + tax @ 17.5% from Gearboxman.

 

It doesn't sound like worn synchros though :-/ More like something wrong with shifting mechanism :-/

Maybe I just ask the owner of the car to do something about it

 

either way, the gearbox basically has to come out, so while it's out why not overhaul it for the future? how old is it now?

 

No idea. Friend who's car it is found it in scrap yeard as Saphy had ho gearbox when he bought it. It's done maybe 10k km's since. The car was almost as rubish as my Escos and we're slowly bringing it back to former glory. Currently I can see there is gearbox problem and probably steering rack problem (it kind of locks in centre position). Brakes are OK now, just need better pads, diff is just a little bit noisy, nothing major. Suspention is on the way in, engine was recently treated with MSD Stg. 1 and pulls strong. I like the car, although 2WD is not my favorite...

 

Had exactly this witha 2nd hand box I bought. A soft rebuild of the gearbox by the Gearbox man sorted the problem out. I didn't ask what was specifically wrong with it but I suspect it was the Sychro's.

 

Thx guys.


One more thing - is it worth to recon steering rack on 2WD or just by one from scrappy? This one is definetly piece of junk at the moment.


I almost crashed the Saphy today, too late braking for the corner.. damn, what am I doing :-/

 

Not sure anyone can answer your question about the steering rack. You pay your money and take your chances. You may get a good one from the breakers, on the other hand it may be worse than the one you already have. I would get a price for a recon one and a price for one from a breakers and then make a decision. It all depends how much money you are prepared to spend v your time and agro.

 

I think reconning the one is better idea then. Got a good company for that. They did great job on my Escos one.


It's OT but I like the Saphy I must say, shame it's been bought by friend in such a bad shape.

 

If ya steering locks then goes free its normally the u,j on the column going to the rack playin up!

 

There is something like that and steering feels loose... You think it's steering column? May be...

 

If this joint is failing what do one need to replace,w hole column or just the joint? Where to buy it, scrappy, Fords, aftermarket?

 

Scott .. What you on about .. ? You mean tight spots in the UJ?

 

Not sure I can locate a drawing for the upper column assembly. We dont keep drawings on the system for much longer than 10 years ... Will have a look.
If the part is made for a late car, instead of using an early derivative, we may have something. Will look tomoz!