F17 Gearbox | A Guide To Faults & Fixes

The Vauxhall 5 speed F17 Gearbox is found on various models throughout the range. The gearbox is typically fitted on the smaller CC engines, such as the 1.2,1.4 and some 1.8 models which include the Corsa, Astra and Zafira to name a few. Unfortunately, the F17, like many other gearboxes, suffer with issues which can cause serious damage to the gearbox, some of which is un-repairable. Check out some of the symptoms below.

F17 Gearbox Common Faults

Vauxhall F17 Reconditioned Gearbox

Bearing Whine

The most common issue with the F17 gearbox is bearing wear and eventually complete failure of the gearbox unit. This issue starts off as a slight whine and can be heard constantly as the vehicle picks up speed regardless of whether the clutch is depressed or not.

F17 Gearbox Output Shaft Damage

This fault which plagues this unit is due to the lower output shaft bearing, which when worn, also damages the output shaft itself. Unlike most gearbox designs the bearing runs on the output shaft itself rather than a corresponding outer shell. Unfortunately, this means when wear does occur the output shaft cannot be repaired and must be replaced. This drastically increases the price of repairs for such a simple design flaw.

Too often we see customers who have ignored the whining sound coming from their gearbox or put it off which results in major failure including the collapsed bearing breaking through the inner bell housing. This means that a complete gearbox replacement is then required rather than just a bearing rebuild.

F17 Gearbox Failure

Gear Crunching

The F17 gearbox, like all gearboxes at some point, will wear down it's synchromesh rings, (particularly lower gears) and result in hard selection and eventually a crunching/grinding sound. This normally shows more in 2nd gear on this model and is more prominent on cold starts before the gearbox oil is warm.

This should not be confused with the grinding sound that is produced when bearings are failing/failed and results in gear tooth damage. The difference between the two can be distinguished by when the grinding sound is produced. Synchromesh issues will produce an audible noise only as the gear is being selected, either on upshift or downshift. Bearing failure noises maybe constant in all gears or constant in certain gears when driving.

Selection Teeth Worn On Gear

Once the synchromesh is worn, it fails to stop the gear from spinning and allows the hub ring to come down on a moving part, which results in the grinding noise as two metal parts come together. This contact between moving parts results in the edge of the selection teeth on the gear and hub ring to wear down slightly each time. Eventually there is not enough tolerance left on the gear teeth to hold the hub ring on the gear and the torsional force results in the ring popping out and de-selecting the gear. To the driver this results in a sudden loss of power and over-revving of the engine as if the clutch has been engaged.

If the gear and hub are worn Eco Torque would always recommend replacement parts due to the need of a full strip down to rectify the issue. The resulting metal particles from the gear and hub can also prematurely wear other components, especially bearings.

F17 Gear Cluster Showing Hub & Brass Synchromesh

Gear Selection Issue

Worn Clutch Eco Torque A Worn Clutch Can Cause Difficult Gear Selection

The F17 gearbox is very temperamental with gear selection if the clutch is worn. This manifest itself into an issue where it feels like there is something blocking the gearstick from moving into each of the gears. If left un-rectified, the damage caused to the gears will result in a full recon replacement being required rather than just the clutch components.

We always recommend using OE parts such as LUK when selecting replacement clutch systems.

Before changing any clutch component, you should check hydraulic fluid levels and perform a clutch bleed to flush out any possible contaminants or air in the system.

Reverse Idler Issues

Reverse gear on the F17 gearbox has no synchromesh on earlier models. This is known as a hard selection gear as it requires the driver to have had the clutch depressed the for more than a few seconds before trying to select the gear. If reverse is attempted to be select as soon as the clutch is depressed, then an audible grinding sound will be heard.

This a result of the two metal components crashing into each other which wears down the components.

We often must replace the reverse idler and corresponding hub ring because the teeth are so badly worn.

Later F17 gearboxes now come with a synchromesh system to eliminate this crunching issue. Some new models are suffering with an assembly line issue and are being rectified under the Vauxhall's main dealer warranty system. Contact your local Vauxhall dealership to see if your vehicle comes under the effected range.

F17 Gearbox Reverse Gear & Idler

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common F17 gearbox fault?

Bearing wear leading to eventual complete failure of the unit. It starts as a slight whine that can be heard constantly as the vehicle picks up speed, whether or not the clutch is depressed. The cause is the lower output shaft bearing, which on this design runs directly on the output shaft rather than an outer shell, so when it wears it also damages the shaft itself.

Why is ignoring the whining noise so costly on the F17?

Because the bearing runs on the output shaft, wear damages the shaft, which cannot be repaired and must be replaced — drastically increasing the cost of what should be a simple design. If ignored, the collapsing bearing can break through the inner bell housing, at which point a complete gearbox replacement is required rather than just a bearing rebuild.

How can I tell synchromesh wear from bearing failure?

The two are distinguished by when the grinding occurs. Synchromesh issues produce a noise only as a gear is being selected, on upshift or downshift — most often in 2nd gear and worse on cold starts before the oil is warm. Bearing failure noises are constant, either in all gears or in certain gears while driving.

What causes a gear to pop out and the engine to over-rev?

Once the synchromesh is worn it no longer stops the gear spinning, so the hub ring comes down on a moving part and grinds. Over time the selection teeth on the gear and hub ring wear down until there is not enough tolerance to hold the ring on the gear, and torsional force pops the ring out, de-selecting the gear — felt as a sudden loss of power and over-revving as if the clutch had been engaged.

Why can a worn clutch cause difficult gear selection on the F17?

The F17 is very temperamental with gear selection when the clutch is worn, feeling as though something is blocking the gearstick from moving into each gear. Before changing any clutch component you should check hydraulic fluid levels and perform a clutch bleed to flush out contaminants or air. Eco Torque recommends OE parts such as LuK for clutch replacement.

Need Workshop Repairs?

Contact our workshop today on 01462 835335 or email us on info@eco-torque.co.uk, if you need help with your gearbox.

Need F17 Gearbox Parts?

Find our product range here

Get In Touch

Have you experienced any problems with your car? We’d love to hear from you! Share your feedback by leaving a comment below. We look forward to learning about your thoughts and experiences.

For specific enquiries, please reach out to us directly using the contact details provided below.

For more information

contact Eco Torque today

Tel: 01462 835335
Email: info@eco-torque.co.uk
Eco Torque Ltd, Unit 1A Portland Industrial Estate, Hitchin Road, Arlesey, United Kingdom, SG15 6SG