3.0 tdci ford - gearbox problem

[NIEKO]

Thought this could not happen to me as I am not, and never has abused the Fords gearbox.

The story.
Coming back from holiday on Monday, and 500km from home (also 500km from 70K service) the 5th gear kicked out. Got a big fright but got really upset when it happened continuously every +-3 to 4 km. I stopped and phoned the dealers (they are not stealers) Supreme Ford Vryburg who told me to continue driving in 4th gear but to bring the vehicle in the moment I arrived at home.

They wanted to inspect the vehicle to order a new gearbox to be fitted at the 70k service which is due next Monday. Took the vehicle in and workshop manager inspected it and confirmed that the gearbox needs to be replaced. He also told me that they are aware of this problem for the following reason
The problem is caused by a spacer/washer at 5th gear which were omitted in the gearboxes, manufactured in Korea. So when Ford SA ran out of stock these gearboxes were imported and installed not realising that the purpose of this spacer/washer is to throw oil on the 5th gear (apparently 5th gear did not get sufficient oil to eliminate wear and tear). This problem has been identified and rectified and the spacer/washer is now part of all gearboxes that are manufactured since six months ago.
Since they have fitted these "new" gearboxes they have not had any problem.

I would also like to mention that I have not done any offroading or towing with this vehicle and that I have used 4x4 H only for about 100 kilometers on dirt roads, since I have got this vehicle.

[big t]

nieko the exact same thing happened to me on the way back from namibia, and i got the exact same answer from the dealer in germiston.anouther problem that they found (and it also happened to me in namibia) is the bonnet catch breaking off, so they are replacing my bonnet at the same time.

[Christo Davids]

Jammer om te hoor oom Niek, ten minste vervang hulle die ratkas... hoop nie hy gee oom enige verdere probleme nie