15 replies to this topic

[gogopogo]

i reckon the fiesta gear box is pants!

i do like ford cars. i've owned a few of them over the years (e.g. escort, mondeo, cougar, focus).

but this is my first fiesta. bought it 3 months ago. reverse gear is driving me nuts. grinding. crunching. no synchro. wtf? have to wait a few seconds, go via first gear or double clutch it. can't understand why ford hasn't put a good gear box in when everything else about the new mk7 fiesta is great.

has anybody tried swapping the gear box for a good one? is it possible? i guess it's expensive to do but i'm considering whether this is a viable option.

what are you thoughts? ideas?

thanks in advance

[alexp999]

I've never been in a car that has a syncro'd reverse gear. Every car I have ever driven if you even remotely still rolling forward when engaging it will crunch.

As for it not going in initially or grinding, I did speak to my local Ford dealer and they said its completely normal for the Fiesta. The tip they gave me was to hold the clutch down for about 3 seconds before engaging reverse

If you feel resistance or it hasn't gone all the way in, it will pop-out or grind when you lift the clutch. If the 3 secs thing doesnt work, then just lift the clutch and pop it back down and it will go straight in.

Like you I used to get so frustrated but having got used to it, I just get in the car and don't think about it now and I haven't had a single issue.

[b1g_dav3]

Reverse is junk, mine grinds every time I put the car in reverse, great on a hill. Honestly I'm not a big fan of the gear box as a general thing, really needs a 6th gear if honest.

[Magenta]

I had no problem at all with the manual box on my previous Mk 7. including reverse. Ok so I have an auto Mk 7 now but that is not the reason ! I did find the clutch a bit heavy - I assume because it was a diesel. Are diesel clutches heavier than petrol equvalent ?

[alexp999]

I had no problem at all with the manual box on my previous Mk 7. including reverse. Ok so I have an auto Mk 7 now but that is not the reason ! I did find the clutch a bit heavy - I assume because it was a diesel. Are diesel clutches heavier than petrol equvalent ?

Technically the clutch plate and flywheel are heavier on a diesel to handle the torque and smooth out the engine Power but it shouldn't make any difference through the pedal as it's operated by hydraulics.

I think it just depends on how it's been designed, I like quite heavy controls as it gives you more feedback than something over servo'd.

[b1g_dav3]

I had no problem at all with the manual box on my previous Mk 7. including reverse. Ok so I have an auto Mk 7 now but that is not the reason ! I did find the clutch a bit heavy - I assume because it was a diesel. Are diesel clutches heavier than petrol equvalent ?

With the few 1.4's I've driven I can confirm they're the lightest clutches I've ever found in a car, the diesel is much heavier and in my opinion much nicer to use.

[coysht]

Put it into 5th on your way to reverse and it'll never crunch and will go in 1st time, every time.
Not ideal, but quicker than waiting for everything to stop moving before engaging reverse.

[jack_routledge]

Put it into reverse then take your foot slowly off the clutch with your hand on the gear stick and you'll feel it go in

[ascowie]

I have been having the same problem and its really cheesing me off,

[ManxKat]

Ooh I also have this problem, feel like a typical woman driver when reversing into a space with people watching me because it takes me ages to get it into reverse. Normally I put it into another gear and then and then try again but I will be trying the tips above! Thankies

[Mordey]

Put it into reverse then take your foot slowly off the clutch with your hand on the gear stick and you'll feel it go in

Works for me every time

[Stoney871]

Pump the clutch pedal a couple of times, not sure if it mechanically helps but it certainly allows you to time a couple of seconds before engaging reverse.

[b1g_dav3]

For the new question of gearbox change; Citroen 1.6 diesel box's fit straight in, same engine you see. 6 forward gears, 1 reverse, much better box.

[gogopogo]

many thanks for your useful replies and suggestions.

i've tried waiting 3-5 seconds before selecting reverse gear - as it says in the owner's manual - but it doesn't always work for me.

i will give all these workarounds a try before deciding on changing the gear box for a better one or changing car for one that's been designed properly (e.g. focus).

[zahtar]

I have this reverse gear resistance issue too. If double clutch doesn't work, try this odd thing:

While wheels are totally idle, engage 4th gear and then reverse. It always works for me, not grinding etc. My brother (MK6 facelift owner) told me this trick.

Try never to force any gear in. I did it to my mom's peugeot 205 many years ago and the stick broke from its base...