Have just come across an ad for a step tropic "spares or repair as gearbox belts are slipping".
Tempting price, but are gearbox repairs feasible? Cheap?
Steptronic
Moderator: Committee Members
Forum rules
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
-
diesel destroyer
- Posts: 875
- Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:34 pm
- MGF Register Region: Thames Valley
- Model of Car: MGF GT
- Location: Swindon
Re: Steptronic
I was quoted £995 if I removed the engine and box.. or £1395 if they took the engine out..
My CVT started to shred its belt.. the work was covered by a 12 month warranty..
I decided against having it repaired and bought a TF160 engine/box/loom/ECU etc for £600 and converted the car to manual..
Personally.. and I did love my steppy.. Id avoid
My CVT started to shred its belt.. the work was covered by a 12 month warranty..
I decided against having it repaired and bought a TF160 engine/box/loom/ECU etc for £600 and converted the car to manual..
Personally.. and I did love my steppy.. Id avoid
-
Rob Bell
- Committee Member
- Posts: 14438
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGF 1.8i + MGF Shed!
Re: Steptronic
Another possibility is that someone has used the wrong gearbox oil - which at least would be the worlds easiest fix! If you get it cheap enough, perhaps it'll be worth the gamble?
Re: Steptronic
you dont say the age of the car--is it in good condition otherwise?
heres a tf steppie for comparison
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131223841081? ... EBIDX%3AIT
heres a tf steppie for comparison
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131223841081? ... EBIDX%3AIT
-
Tipper
- Posts: 720
- Joined: Sat Dec 06, 2008 3:39 pm
- MGF Register Region: Devon & Cornwall
- Model of Car: RV8 + ZS180
- Location: Exeter, Devon, UK
Re: Steptronic
Depends what exactly 'slipping' means...
The steel belt can wear, probably due to the wrong oil being used.
There are two wet clutches involved that make the car go forwards and backwards. I would suspect it is more likely to be the forward clutch burnt out as continual use waiting in drive in slow moving traffic will overheat this clutch.
Damp getting into the electrical connectors on the front and rear of the box can cause strange operation.
Changing the oil to the correct grade may help but if the wrong stuff has been used then it's likely any damage is terminal. Most auto workshops don't understand these gearboxes and usually use the wrong fluid believing any auto fluid will do. It won't!
The gearbox oil pump can also fail as can the main gearbox shaft bearing. These can be changed in situ I believe.
And finally, what's often misunderstood is the action of the CVT transmission in the first place which sounds like it's slipping but actually is its normal operation in drive. Manual 'gear' selection should give fixed 'ratios' which shouldn't slip at all.
Best to have a test drive and see what you think.
Edit: 'scorched' over on mg-rover.org has stripped and repaired this gearbox. Says it's very simple too. I posted up some photos for him.
The steel belt can wear, probably due to the wrong oil being used.
There are two wet clutches involved that make the car go forwards and backwards. I would suspect it is more likely to be the forward clutch burnt out as continual use waiting in drive in slow moving traffic will overheat this clutch.
Damp getting into the electrical connectors on the front and rear of the box can cause strange operation.
Changing the oil to the correct grade may help but if the wrong stuff has been used then it's likely any damage is terminal. Most auto workshops don't understand these gearboxes and usually use the wrong fluid believing any auto fluid will do. It won't!
The gearbox oil pump can also fail as can the main gearbox shaft bearing. These can be changed in situ I believe.
And finally, what's often misunderstood is the action of the CVT transmission in the first place which sounds like it's slipping but actually is its normal operation in drive. Manual 'gear' selection should give fixed 'ratios' which shouldn't slip at all.
Best to have a test drive and see what you think.
Edit: 'scorched' over on mg-rover.org has stripped and repaired this gearbox. Says it's very simple too. I posted up some photos for him.