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Location:
Geelong.Vic.Au
Registered:
August 2002
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r154 gearbox issues.
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Wed, 19 October 2005 23:37
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Hi all,
I've done some searching about and it seems the only two real problems with the r154 include the 1st gear thrust washer and the rear gearbox seal leaking oil. Though, there is also the poor quality shift that could be seen as a problem.
What I'd like to know is as follows;
Will the thrust washer be a problem with stock power/torque?
(if no, at what power/torque?)
Will being gentle in first (but not other gears) reduce the likeliness of the problem?
Hands up anyone who has had the leaky rear seal.
Will replacing the seal remedy the problem?
I read it's the general drive train vibrations that cause the seal to crack, if so I’m guessing this is an on going problem that will need attending to.
What measures can be taken to improve the quality of the shift?
I read Redline oil was popular, though I personally have had good experiences with Castrol VMX80 and Nulon shift conditioner however this wasn't in an r154.
Would adding a weighty gear knob make things easier?
And finally, though this may be a personal preference thing, what shaped gear knob do you find is easiest to shift with?
Thanks everyone,
Ashlin.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
July 2004
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Thu, 20 October 2005 00:03
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i just changed my oil to VMX80 and it had a slight crunch on changes from 2nd to 3rd and from 3rd to 2nd
that crunch is now gone 
my verdict: VMX80 for teh win
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Registered:
August 2002
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Location:
Geelong.Vic.Au
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Thu, 20 October 2005 00:07
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the price of it is appealing too
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
July 2004
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Thu, 20 October 2005 00:14
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| BlackSupra wrote on Thu, 20 October 2005 09:36 |
My r154 has same crunch as above......about to hit it with redline shockproof. Will see what happens.
And what price is the VMX80?
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$24 for 3 litres
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Location:
Geelong.Vic.Au
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Thu, 20 October 2005 00:39
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The Nulon shift conditioner is about $20 for a 250ml tube and imo the improvement is worth it. However it does seem to only last for a few months.
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Location:
Geelong.Vic.Au
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Thu, 20 October 2005 22:45
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anyone else out there had/have any of the problems listed??
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
March 2003
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Sat, 22 October 2005 08:39
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Redline MTL is your friend. Not cheap but worth it.
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Location:
perth WA
Registered:
January 2003
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Wed, 26 October 2005 12:49
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yep i had r154 , notchy shifting , run vmx80 , auto trans , then went to redline shock proof .. best $100 or so ive spent .. silky smooth shift , no crunch grind , everything sweet ..
r154 will handle power fine .. they very strong box . i had 400rwhp through mine
as for rear seal .. wtf ?? i had so many probs with that .. i couldnt fix it .. i changed seal , added 2 seals , went to a tighter seal , tighten the seal spring .. everything i just couldnt fix it ..
so i sold it and put in a v161 6 speed .. that fixed the prob
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
July 2004
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Wed, 26 October 2005 14:11
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slylux is the tailshaft and gearbox x member the same for the V161?
i am assuming you can use the same flywheel and clutch too?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Australia
Registered:
November 2003
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Wed, 26 October 2005 14:14
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AFAIK the V160 runs a 3 pronged output, not the slipyoke.
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Location:
logan river brisbane
Registered:
July 2005
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Wed, 26 October 2005 15:10
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Zero problems with my R154,no special oil or anything,no leaks or crunch.I do practice the elusive mystical art of mechanical sympathy though.A rare and forgotton skill in many parts of the world it seems. 
Nice to know about these potential hassles though as I have another R154 soon to go into service.
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Location:
Geelong.Vic.Au
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Wed, 26 October 2005 15:49
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OK I’ve had a good drive of it, and at about 40 in 4th if I mash the accelerator the gearbox makes a scratchyish grinding noise. Once the speed increases to about 60 or so the noise stops. Does this happen to anybody else?
Apparently the seals between the cabin and the gearbox aren't great, so if the noise is normal it would likely be louder and more noticeable in my car.
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Location:
Geelong.Vic.Au
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Thu, 27 October 2005 10:59
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Actually it doesn't appear to be exclusivly 4th, just when the car is in a higher gear than the speed warrents, can anyone else relate to this problem (if it is a problem)
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Location:
Kelmscott, Perth, W.A
Registered:
March 2004
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Thu, 27 October 2005 17:07
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i get a drone/vibration if i select too high a gear at a low road speed (5th gear @ 60kph) but it sounds more like the exhaust rather than anything else.
my R154 had very poor shifting qualities before i put RedLine Lightweight Shockproof Gearoil in... its expensive but worth it.
that being said no gearoil will make the R154 a pleasure to shift.
unless i shift down through every gear finishing in 1st comming up to a set of traffic lights, i usually get locked out of first gear.
from stationary theres only a 50% chance i can select reverse first time, otherwise its into 1st, let the clutch out a bit, nudge forward, clutch back in then straight into reverse.
as of late ive got a bearing noise easily audiable out of gear and stationary... the noise evolves into a much angrier noise after 10 passes down the 1/4 mile or after 10 laps of barbagallo raceway.
ive found by changing into the next gear by 2,200rpm you can have a flawless run of shifting up though gears (without the gears clicking/hesitating)
and last but not least.. if i need to change back down through gears in a hurry, double clutching is a must (your only choice really) unless your carrying a low enough road speed.
that being said i still love my box, its held out well over time and im no pansey with it.
oh and i cant think of a worst gearbox to drag with, makes you wish you had a auto in there, but then you go to the circuit and...
good luck.
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Location:
Perth
Registered:
November 2004
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Thu, 27 October 2005 23:20
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Ah... I thought my gearbox was a pain in the ass.
I've had several simular problems to you guys. Firstly my box leaks a bit of oil that can be seen just under the guard that the gearbox yoke sits in. I use Redline lightweight shockproof so every time I see it I feel a small pain in my wallet.. :/
This is they only type of oil I have used since putting this box in my car (after it was rebuilt). I also get really notchy shifting and sometimes I gotta slam it in with a crunch. I get a drone in the cabin that is there till the exhaust note drowns it out. As for shifting it only seems to like high revs and at low revs its hella notchy.
As for reverse, I've found that putting it into 4th then rev works most of the time. Also threating to put in a Getrag has given me some results
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Registered:
August 2002
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Fri, 28 October 2005 10:36
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| kemicalx wrote on Thu, 27 October 2005 20:59 |
Actually it doesn't appear to be exclusivly 4th, just when the car is in a higher gear than the speed warrents, can anyone else relate to this problem (if it is a problem)
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Learn how to drive a manual.
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Fri, 28 October 2005 10:59
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practice the art of "feeling" gears typically taught when you go for your non-syncro truck license...
you get upto about 60kph clutch into neutral then softly feel into the gate of an acceptable gear IE 2nd 3rd 4th while rolling and steadily and slowly raising / lowering the revs, you will feel it suck/slip into the gear when you have the right revs for the right road speed.
once you can drive it without touching the clutch, stressing the syncros, kanagrooing the fuck out of it, start using the clutch just a half tap as you slide it into gear at the right revs and you will have a much more rewarding driving experience and happier drive line
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Location:
Geelong.Vic.Au
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Fri, 28 October 2005 12:46
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thanks heaps Allan thats the info i'm after i definatly need to improve my mmanual skills (not that i'm new to it, just didn't take it too seriously in my old Astina)
Couple of other questions
When stationary in neutral the box whirs away quite ausibly. Is this normal?
Also after a bit of driving the stick and solid metal gearknob i have get a bit hot too.
My rwd/manual experience is non-existant so i'm just trying to suss out whether or not my car has any problens. So sorry if some of these q's seem a bit noobesque 
Cheers all,
Ashlin.
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Location:
Australia
Registered:
September 2002
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Sun, 30 October 2005 04:16
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I took experience alot of pleasure with my R-154. Lately it hasn't been too fond of downshifting into third, especially when cold. I chose to attribute this to the recent oil change but it may also be a result of pushing alot of power through it. I'm hoping to insall my OS Giken gear set soon, as I'm really curious how much improvement it makes to shift speed as its supposed to have vastly superior synchros. Is it confirmed that a violent upshift into third is when the R-154 mostly fails?
Dan
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: r154 gearbox issues.
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Sun, 30 October 2005 07:20
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my r154 is beautiful behind a 450hp v8 running penrite hypoid gear oil. No crunching at all.
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