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Kia & Hyundai 6 Speed Manual Gearbox Issue | 3rd-4th-5th-6th Gear Crunch

Steven Kay |

We are seeing an increasing amount of Kia & Hyundai 6 speed models with a common gear crunching issue. This can happen in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gear, or a combination of them.

More details in the article as well as repair solutions.

Introduction

We have seen a common issue arising with a particular gearbox fitted to Hyundai & Kia models effecting gear selection. The issue results in an audible grinding noise when trying to select gears. After investigating we found the following issue.

Symptoms & Repairs

The fault most commonly occurs when the driver tries to select a gear and a loud audible grinding/graunching sound is heard. This can be in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th gear, or a combination of those listed.

It is possible that a clutch issue may also be present and the cause, however it is not common to have issues in just the high gears, it is normally the opposite way round, with reverse, 1st and 2nd being difficult to select.

After stripping the units we discovered and interesting fault with the synchromesh rings.

If you compare the synchromesh on the left to the one on the right you can see the stop tab has broken off. This tab locates within the hub with a small amount of play and allows the gear to match the hub speed and stops the synchromesh simply rotating with the gear once it has gripped.

The tabs had made their way around the gearbox luckily not coming into contact with gears and bearings.

The synchromesh on gears 3, 4, 5 and 6 are all of the same design and same part number. This part has thus superseded and a new design of synchro replaces this in order to prevent the issue happening again.

We would recommend changing all four of the old design of synchro if the transmission is removed to prevent costly repairs at a later date.

Models affected
  • Kia Sportage | 1700cc
  • Kia Ceed | 1400cc 1600cc
  • Kia Rio | 1400cc 1600cc
  • Kia Rio | 1400cc
  • Kia Venga | 1400cc 1600cc
  • Hyundai I30 | 1400cc 1600cc
  • Hyundai IX35 | 1700cc
  • Hyundai Tucson | 1700cc

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

9 comments

Hi l too have problems changing gears on my 2014 Sportage. Changing up if done leisurely isn’t a problem, changing down is messy and double de-clutching doesn’t work. The car has only done 58000 miles.

Brian ,

Hi I’ve a Kia Sportage 66 plate gears grinding 3rd4th5th
Now out of Kia warranty.

Stuart Meek,

Hi I’ve a Kia Sportage 66 plate gears grinding 3rd4th5th
Now out of Kia warranty.

Stuart Meek,

Hi, I have the same problem at ix35. 3 and 6th gear.
This is a total fail of hynday and Kia.

Francisco Oliveira,

Hi, I have the same problem at ix35. 3 and 6th gear.
This is a total fail of hynday and Kia.

Francisco Oliveira,

Hi Kia Sportage 1.7 crdi crunching into 4th gear !!
Quote on repair please

Stuart Meek,

Thank you everyone for reading our post and commenting on here.

The comment section on our blogs is not always monitor so we encourage anyone needing pricing or more urgent info to contact us via our contact page or call us directly!

Happy reading everyone!

Eco Torque ,

I have a problem with gear crunching when going into 6th gear only what is the cost of this repair ?

jeffrey jenkins,

I have Kia sportage 17 Diesel 2014 I have the problem going into fourth and fifth gear how much does it cost roughly to to have the rings exchanged, thanks

Alec OBrien,

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