Gearbox bearings - repair costs - an update

I have not done a guide as I found it easier to get a specialist to do it.

I bought the parts and then they fitted them. They have a fixed £360 labour charge

www.bigjimny.com/index.php/forum?view=to...d=58347&limitstart=0

Martin

Excuse my lack of knowledge here, but what is the R72 gearbox out of?
My rocket is a 2010 Jimny, and I am looking at bearings, seals and synchros before it falls apart.
Roy

Well my "new" 2010 Jimny has the R72 gearbox, it's on the housing. Same as Zukenutter with non-removable bell housing and no access to the front seal unless you strip the gearbox. :huh: I decided to put a kit in as it was a bit noisy, it was leaking oil out the rear, and I could not get the filler plug out. Neither could the local garage!
Bit of a task removing it on my own, and even more fun getting it back in on my pat Malone! One bolt had damaged thread (hardest to get at of course) and needed rattle gun to remove it with lonnnng bars and socket. Lucky I had a spare bolt and tap to clean the thread in the block.
I got a specialist to rebuild it too. He stripped it in front of me and made it look sooo simple. Explained the 5th gear is direct drive through the main-shafts and 4th etc are via layshaft.
Kit with bearings and seals cost me A$220 from the UK, with postage and it was fast delivery. Had some genuine Zuke bearings included. Needed a second gear synchro ring as well, which I got from the local dealer. Could have bought all 6 on fleabay for the cost of the one from the dealer! Specialist cost A$430 including that expensive synchro ring.
Tail-shaft yoke was piddling oil out, lucky I saw a thread on it so suspected that issue, although this model should not have had this leak but there you go. Good clean up with brake cleaner and quality sealer fixed the problem. The frozen filler plug came out with big persuader (hammer) and long bar with 10mm square drive hammered in. Replaced with hex head brass plug so I can use a simple ratchet ring spanner in the very confined space (Note Mr Suzuki!!!!!!).
It's still a little noisy but at least I feel confident it will not go bang now (I hope). To me the gearbox is crap to use, slow and clunky, although I admit I'm used to the six speed M32 in my Astra, which while it has some faults, it is silky smooth and fast.

My '06 Jimny is harder to put in 2nd gear when downshifting, when upshifting it is harder than other gears but not hard. Other than that it works fine, no oil leaks, no noise, no vibration. Should I do something about the 2nd gear or just drive it like it is for now?