hi there can anyone help me i have just purchased a space wagon glxi 1.8 automatic and are having problems with the gearbox. It seems to be knocking when changing up and down into second gear i have heard that you can tighten brake bands does anyone know if this is possible? will it damage the car in the long run if i carry on using the car? its doing my head in i like things to be right. nothing like my old shogun that was much easier to maintain. many thanks, cheers all

Get it to an auto expert ASAP. We have a 2l version of the same vehicle (called a Chariot here in NZ). Ours went 'bang' - one bearing self destructed and took out the teeth for gear one, which gave it a nice grating sound.

Anyway, at the suot place every car, bar one, was a Mitsi - apparently they are fairly unique in NOT having a transmission cooler. If not well maintained (and with Jap imports its a guessing game) the auto fluid heats up and curdles, blocking pipes and causing dry running of the gears. It cost NZ$2500 to repair (about £1000, but I suspect it would be the same in £'s in the UK), as the whole box had to be rebuilt. The guy in the garage said he loved Mitsi's, cause they gave him so much business - we had a cooler installed, basically a radiator for the tranny fluid.

Ours used to clunk (don't know if this is the same as your knock) just before it went bang!