I have a 2004 Ford Ka and within the last 3 months have a very noisy reverse gear change and some stiffness occasionally changing the lower gears. Yesterday after being on a motorway for approx an hour in 5th gear, I found that changing down gears particularly first and second were really difficult to engage- why is this and do I need a new gearbox?

Susan Harris, July 2009

If you mean that when you go for reverse the gears actually crunch - thats more of a clutch problem really.....however its impossible to say what condition your gearbox is in. Ford boxes are pretty tough though, unless you have a huge mileage of course.

John, July 2009