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

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

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

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

www.mandttransmissions.co.uk/

Give these a call 

Thanks Jack
Been in touch with South West Transmissions in Exeter, near me, and been given a "sensible" price to recon the box.
The decision now is whether to drive the 40 miles to drop the vehicle off, or use a local garage to remove and ship across, which will take a bit longer.
Thinking I''ll go the local route, to save any further undue stress on the gearing
Cheers

I know that it is easy to spend someone else's money, but you might as well get a clutch kit fitted, or at least a new release bearing and the clutch inspected for wear whilst the gearbox is out, it is a (expensive if you are paying someone) pain to get the gearbox out, so you really don't want to have to get it out again in short order.


You often see Jimnys of that age in Copart with no gearbox, whether they have been stolen for the gearbox or it was taken out and they can't recon it or get a good second hand one I don't know....
There is a 2008 at Copart now, no damage, runs & drives, I bet that needs a gearbox!
 

I could hear the bearings go and thought I had a few km's in it still, like in the SJ where I had all the time in the world. But I did not take the warnings I got in here seriously enough and just 5-6km after hearing the noise and was sure it was the bearings, the bearings broke and took the gearwheels with them in an awful sound. Total write off.
I got very lucky to find a second hand Gearbox from a wrecker, The only wrecked jimny newer than 08 or 09 in Norway, and bought the gearbox. Stuck a camera in there to see the bearings had green plastic side covers and was closed up so I knew it was the upgraded gear box.

Thanks for all the advice

I've bitten the bullet and its getting trailered into South West Transmissions, in Exeter, where it's booked in for this Friday.
They're doing the whole job including new clutch kit and fluids for £1400