Gearbox failure

[RichL]

The 6speed manual gearbox in my Exeo suddenly failed at 81000 miles. Took it into an independant specialist who called me today with an update.
6th gear has stripped most of its teeth, because a bearing was missing - he says it looks like it was never fitted from the factory.

I'm not sure if I should be annoyed Seat sold a defective part, or impressed that the gearbox lasted 81,000 miles with a bearing missing.

 

[Flobadob]

I am a manufacturing engineer whose company works with very very VERY strict manufacturing controls, but things still escape! Anywhere there is manual intervention, risk is involved! Not just with fitting of the part by hand but think of the person whose programed the robot that fitted the gearbox bearing, have they covered all aspects of risk? In addition the gear box could of been supplied by a outsourced company thus not under full SEAT controls. Though I would be very interested to hear what SEAT have to say about how they supplied a car with a gearbox with a missing bearing!

But at that mileage its amazing that it went on that long. Not knowing how the box is built, 6th gear isn't a power gear more of a cruise gear and thus may not experience the stress of the lower gears and therefore managed the mileage.

Either way contact SEAT UK directly with all your findings and the specialists report, in my experience they provide a great customer service and knock the dealers into shape when they don't comply. Reference all the guarantee and quality blurb they use on their websites to your advantage and they wont have a leg to stand on. IMO they should not only pay for a new gearbox and fitting and the cost to your specialist but also for a hire car while your car is being repaired. So keep all your bills and receipts as proof.

Good luck

Flobadob