ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

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ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Wed Aug 12, 2015 5:23 pm

So 5th has become rather noisy in the Triton. Still engages fine just loud gear noise when running.

Pull box and repair or try and find a second hand box to throw in is the question I'm struggling to answer.

$$$ is my biggest consideration but that's a tricky one until the box gets pulled down and exact part list is known.

Also is the in a 3.2l box the same as any others or were they a one off just for the 3.2's?

240k on this one and has done a fair amount of hard work towing etc. I'm just trying to figure out if the risk buying a used box outweighs the gain of a box with less km (if I can find one of course) or I'm better pulling this one down and giving it a rebuild?

Anyone got any words of wisdom for me to assist me making the D?

Having done the clutch myself a few years back I am capable of removal and refit however not a single part of my being is looking forward to that day lol.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Pkucha on Thu Aug 13, 2015 8:09 pm

Marchy,

There's another thread on this if you search. Had exactly same problem, $1600 for a rebuild including remove and refit sorted it at a gearbox specialist. It was the 5th gear bearing that was giving up the ghost. If you keep driving and it totally lets go it will be a much bigger problem. Apparently the 3.2 box is the same as some older Toyota box but cant remember which one he said.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Thu Aug 13, 2015 9:49 pm

I had a search around but didn't find anything. I shall try again. Thanks
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby mattz on Sat Aug 15, 2015 8:31 am

You'll be doing well if you can get a gearbox reconditioned for $1600.
All enquires I made had the labour as the biggest component.
You may get it fixed for that but you run the risk of another bearing or something else letting go of its not fully reconditioned.

If you ring around some wreckers you'll find some low km ones for around that price or not much more.

I had 3rd gear let go. :(
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby RHKTriton on Sat Aug 15, 2015 3:58 pm

Might be worth getting a second hand unit and then take your time to reco your own and hence know its whole history.

Later you can swap yours in and flog the other one off again.

Has anyone considered any six speeders that might fit?
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Sat Aug 15, 2015 7:03 pm

A 6 speed would be an interesting possibility. Doubt it will be cheap and or easy to do tho. I would love to mess with the gear ratios a touch. Make 4th and 5th a fraction taller but then I ask do I really know better than the engineers at mitsubishi? You know the ones that pump shit back into our intakes ;)
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Pkucha on Sun Aug 16, 2015 8:16 am

I did well then, $1600 at Award Diffs & Gearbox at Seven Hills. Their site says $1435 for a Triton. Here's what their site says is included in the overhaul:

Prices are subject to disassembly and inspection of gearbox
Prices are for overhauls (bearings, seals, gaskets, needle rollers, thrust, washers, circlips)
And do not include any hard parts, gears, shafts or synchro rings
Whole vehicles – turnaround time generally 2 to 4 working days (depending on parts availability)
Units Only – turnaround time generally 2 to 3 working days (depending on parts availability)

A firm quote will be given after disassembly and inspection

Payment is due on completion of work

Doesn't help you though Marchy as your in Townsville.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Sun Aug 16, 2015 9:49 am

I'm now in Brisbane well Ipswich to be precise so hopefully there are more options to get work done. Got a couple of places to go see when I get time but work is preventing such things currently.
Have spoken to bayside gearbox repairs so far and initial ballpark figures were 650-800 if I drop off the box. 2-2500 if I drop off the triton. Obviously dependant on parts required.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby RHKTriton on Sun Aug 16, 2015 10:26 am

A six speeder would be great Marchy. I'd love to have the revs down to 2000 at 110kph. Would be quieter, less engine wear, better fuel economy.

I thought I read that the mq's first gear is more of a crawler gear which is pushing in the other direction.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby 4wd26 on Sun Aug 16, 2015 10:37 am

I would very much doubt the 6 speed manual would bolt up to the ML engine, completely different blocks

it is a shame that nothing was developed for the pajero in regard to the 6 speed manual, as then you might have found something

for what it is worth, it might be possible to mount the 5 speed auto from the pajero, but then you run into electrical problems with ECU's etc

I guess it depends on how long you want to be off the road for, a second hand box from the wreckers you could be on the road again after a weekends work.

getting it to someone to rebuild your could see you with out a vehicle for up to 2 weeks- maybe longer, but at least you know what you are getting
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Sun Aug 16, 2015 6:08 pm

I'll do some ringing around as soon as I get a chance and see if of the performance joints have heard of 6speed conversions but I would assume it would have surfaced on here if it had been done.
Having a 7week old in the house and me working would make being a car down tough going so messing about trying to see if a 6 speed would be possible wouldn't be ideal right now.
I could dust off the old dirt squirter but Ipswich winters and I don't get on well at the best of times.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Sun Aug 16, 2015 6:10 pm

Does anyone know what model gearbox is in the ML3.2?
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby RHKTriton on Sun Aug 16, 2015 6:23 pm

Should only require an adaptor plate if the bolt patterns are different for a six speeder and picking a suitable clutch assembly.

A record changeover is probably your cheapest option and should provide a 12month warranty.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Sun Aug 16, 2015 6:35 pm

I have a cruiser clutch already supplied by NPC clutches in brissy which has only done 60k and still going strong. Stronger than a triton box obviously lol. I shall see what I can dig up during the week.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby RHKTriton on Sun Aug 16, 2015 6:49 pm

Record! Should have read reco.

Actually the next obvious question - mating the gearbox to transfer case?
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Sun Aug 16, 2015 6:53 pm

Reco box on eBay is $2400 ish!! I can be lazy and drop the car off get it reco'd and put back in for that money! If I did the R&R myself even cheaper.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Wed Aug 19, 2015 4:02 am

Got a chance to ring around yesterday. Prices ranged from $1200 for a bearing and seal kit to $2400 for the same bearing and seal kit. Any hard parts will be extra if required.
Plus I'll need a tail shaft service and balance ($500approx) as it's squeaking again so might as well knock that over while I'm in coughing up $$$. Want it balanced as I think there is a slight vibration in it after the last time I had it serviced.
Then all I need is some new front struts from Ultimate suspension to tidy up the creaking and banging in the front end and hopefully I'll be back in business.

Thanks all
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby mattz on Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:14 am

When I replaced mine there were wreckers that had some very low km ones for under $2000. When I say low km I'm talking under 25k.
I ended up settling for one with 120k for $700.

Spending that much on getting your one reco'd you'd have to ask yourself how long you intend to keep it and is it worth spend that much.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Wed Aug 19, 2015 10:01 am

I agree mattz however I can't find one for anywhere around the $$$ your talking.
As for how long I'm keeping it, that depends on how long it takes for someone to build a vehicle that I like. I have a feeling the triton will be with me for many years to come.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Fri Aug 21, 2015 10:30 pm

So as it happens I may have found a box with 150+k on it for $600.
Now I can't decide if I want to go that way and do some swearing and cursing for a weekend and bingo 5 speed triton is back or cough up the $1500 for a bearing/seal kit and install.
One leaves me with a unknown quality box and the other leaves me with a 240k box that I know has worked hard for most of it's life but has been checked out and has new bearings/seals.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby RHKTriton on Sat Aug 22, 2015 9:54 am

If your set up to easily swap the boxes in and out, I'd stick the second hand one in and then take the time to reco yours. esp if your truck is a keeper.

Had a look under the new mq and even the transfer casing looks entirely new, less metal with more reinforcing ribs. Makes sense, considering the lever operation has gone.

Another potential source of gearboxes to explore may be the Mitsui. truck range. I recall speaking to a mechanic years ago that the triton/pajero gear came from these.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby emjayar on Tue Aug 25, 2015 12:15 pm

apparently these guys are pretty good... I can't vouch for them personally but people in clubs I know have used them with some success.

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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Marchy on Thu Sep 17, 2015 11:19 am

Second hand box is finally in and so far (30km driven) I must say I'm not 100% happy all is well. I'm hearing a noise not too different to what my old box was making but this time it's 3rd gear not 5th.
I'm wondering if a change of gear oil might be a worthwhile try before I say there is something not right with the box. What is everyone running in their ML 5 speeds?
I put fresh oil in when I did the swap and it's full synthetic penrite Pro Gear which has worked well and been quiet for the last box but just wondering if there is a better option I could try.

Cheers

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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby biggibbo on Thu Sep 17, 2015 12:23 pm

I've been using the Nulon fully synthetic for the last 2 fills. Used to use the penrite, however the Nulon was cheaper. Noticed no difference though.
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Re: ML 3.2l 5speed gearbox

Postby Painkiller on Thu Sep 17, 2015 4:52 pm

Question- towing- just a boat, but it's ok to tow in 5th gear?
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