Crunchy Gears And Problems Selecting Reverse Gear

[Binary Man]

Hi,

 

I've had crunchy gears for some time now - which I can live with - but the real problem is that selecting reverse gear can be a real problem. I can always get it in eventually - by slipping it into first gear, letting the clutch grip slightly, then whipping it back across into reverse; or, if that doesn't work, by driving forward slightly and trying again. It's a bit of a bind though and can make a quick 3-point turn in the middle of the road a bit of a hassle.

 

The car's done 290k miles. (Ford Galaxy 1.9TDI, 1998, Manual.) I've no idea when the clutch was last replaced - certainly not in the last 80k miles, which is since we've had it. Does it definitely need a new clutch? If so, does anyone know what sort of £ I'd be looking at for a small, local, independant garage to do the work?

 

Thanks.