The Opel F17 (and F17+) is one of the most common five speed manual gearboxes of the Astra / Corsa / Zafira era. The synchro ring and the differential wear, and so do the layshaft bearings.
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Symptoms: a stiff or scratchy shift (mostly when warm), a whine while driving, differential noise when pulling away. Failures are more common with the stronger engines (at the limit of the F17+). Oil leaks speed up the wear: 5th gear sits high, so it is the first to be short of lubrication.
between 120,000 and 220,000 km
What to check
- When warm, at 80 to 100 km/h, listen for gearbox whine: a noise that rises with the revs is suspect
- Try 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 shifts cold and warm: binding, scratchiness
- When pulling away, listen for noise or a clunk from the differential
