Re:Transmission / driveline noise on 2006 Jimny - Worried

Bought this 2006 Jimny about 4 weeks ago, in a private sale
64000 miles and last owner has only done around 18 miles per week in the last 4 years in regular trips to the local town
He's replaced the Jimny with a Hilux

It came with muds, that he'd put on recently in a spending fit, which I've replaced with Geolanders

I've had an issue with binding brakes, which I put down to the usual sticky slider pins, and at one point the disc was becoming very hot in use
As we've had bad weather and I can only work outside on this, I had it it for a pad change and a look at the sliders at a local place, who reported one slider was sticky, but they've freed it off, relubed it and put the new pads in, which seems to have resolved the issue with braking.

But, the Jimny has started with a transmission noise. Started off just in 4th, but now its noticable in 3rd though not as bad or loud.
Sort of a rasping jingly grating noise.
All gear changes are as they should be and no clutch slip, though the clutch pedal did go stiff / not smooth, around the same time as this noise started. Clutch currently seems ok.

Changed the gearbox oil today, but as I had other things to do, didn't change the oil in the transfer box.

So, just wondering whether anyone had any ideas?
I've read that these boxes can go bad, but as everything works as it should bar the noise, could this be symptomatic of a knackered gearbox?
Could the noise be the clutch release bearing, and needing a new clutch and bearing?
Could it be a fried wheel bearing from the braking heat?

While under it this morning, I've had a poke about with the props, and there doesn't seem to be any undue backlash or issues there.

We have no Suzuki specialist around here, so I'm at a bit of a loss for diagnosing this.

Thanks in advance
Rob

Unfortunately you have one right in the bad age range for the bad gearbox. Although it is currently drivable its likely not going to be for long. If possible only drive it to the repair place.

Is it the case that just the bearings will need replacing?

I've seen bearing kits for £125 and exchange refurbished boxes for £1000 

Normally you can get away with the bearings but it's not a given, like so many things it depends on how quickly you have caught it. The longer you leave it the worse it will get.

It is likely the gearbox bearings.
They are easy enough to do (you will need a bearing puller and a press to fit them), the hard part is getting the gearbox off on the drive! it is do-able, loads of us have done it,.

You will need new rear gearbox rubber mounts, they are always gone..

www.bigjimny.com/mediawiki/index.php/Gearbox_R72_rebuild

Thanks very much for that
Had a look through that rebuild link and I think its way beyond my ability

Look like I'll need to pay for the job to be done
And by the looks, its a bloody expensive job, that I reckon will see a lot of motors scrapped
Rob