With reference to the price for the parts please note that to import parts into Australia through a business means you have to add 45% duties/taxes plus another 15% mark-up for the mechanic plus shipping costs! This adds almost 70% to the purchase price that you guys can get it for.
Our mechanic has been decent enough to allow us to try and get the parts ourselves to avoid some of these costs. Also, the mechanic we're using, Leo from Ciliberti Motors, will be the one that BossWrench is talking about as he was referred to us by the ZF company themselves.
As for the symptoms, there was severe crunching when changing into 3rd and it took multiple goes to get into reverse. When the ZF was taken apart the mechanic found that the casing was cracked (someone had tried to glue it!) and that the synchro for 3rd gear was badly damaged. As for reverse, parts were missing altogether. The gear shift operating shaft and the clutch disc were badly worn. The other synchros were showing signs of wear too so the mechanic suggested that we replace a few bits while we had it apart. His price to us was $5,330US but we've already had one quote for $3,300US +shipping which is a big saving.
Whilst we appreciate the offer of the new ZF we have to work out the economics of shipping etc and just come up with the most economical, most convenient option. A whole new unit might still end up being the way to go?!
Having said all this, even though the car is jacked up with the ZF out it is still an awesome looking car and still drawing attention!
Thanks guys and any other input greatly appreciated
