It must be monday - newbie gearbox question

[sgray]

I think the gearchange on my truck is getting worse and I wondered if there was some everyday maintenance I should have been doing.

I generally have to double de-clutch on all changes and have always done, but now I have to put in a bit of a pause as well, otherwise I get a clunk/graunch from the change. 2nd to 3rd is not bad but 3rd to 4th needs quite a pause. 1st can only cleanly be engaged from stationary so I've started to select 2nd and then 1st. Sometimes, at a roundabout say, 1st just won't play ball and I have to crawl away in second.

I'm trying to avoid doing anything major before the National, but Leeds is a long way from Oxfordshire and I do want to get there. Where to start - clutch, gearbox oil ? or something else?

As ever - any help much appreciated.

Simon

[Simon83]

You could check the gearbox oil and take it from there. On the A30 I bought I had much the same problem and when I checked the oil was empty!

[MarkyB]

Oil first, then clutch adjustment.
Where is the bite point on the clutch?
If it's around an inch off the floor, it needs adjusting.

[bmcecosse]

Drain and refill with nice new 10W 40 - then see how it goes. I imagine most of your journey will be in top gear anyway!

[mike.perry]

Plenty of us from Oxon & Berks going so you can arrange company for the trip. Most likely clutch adjustment. Synchromesh is a luxury.

[sgray]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, will try and have a look tonight.

Mike - yes, will see if we can manage a loose convoy. I have plenty of room if you want me to carry the beer

[bmcecosse]

May be better to carry a spare gearbox..........

[sgray]

now that's not even funny..

this evening I've fallen at the first hurdle, as the gearbox filler plug just refuses to move. I'm using a 3/8 W socket - which I think is right, but it just slips. It's not reverse threaded or something daft I presume? Can I attack it from underneath with a spanner or does it have to be done through the access hole in the floorwell ?

[bmcecosse]

Anyway you can! It is same size as wheel nut - supposedly you can use the wheel spanner on the end of the starting handle. It doesn't need to be stupidly tight.

[mike.perry]

Are you sure that the socket is on square, put an extension on it then tap it down with a hammer. The plug is a tapered pipe thread I think, so once you get it to turn it should come loose. Replacing it can be a fiddle, I had several trips under the car to retrieve mine

[katy]

If the corners of the plug are rounded off, try a 6 point socket, 18MM IIRC.

[Pyoor_Kate]

...as a side point, you shouldn't need to double de-clutch on anything except 1st. All the other gears the synchro should work...

[mike.perry]

I have plenty of room if you want me to carry the beer

That is what my trailer is for. Beer out, Spares back

[sgray]

Did it ! thanks to a brand new 18mm socket (and the help on here)

Mr Haynes says the fluid should be up to the bottom thread - does he mean the bottom thread of the filler plug hole, cos if he does then it isn't - it's about 1-1.5 inches below that

[PSL184]

does he mean the bottom thread of the filler plug hole

Yes

[bmcecosse]

Drain out all the old - you don't know what it is! Refill with 10W40 - and yes - right up to running out the hole.

[sgray]

He's running so much better now.. has new gearbox oil and I also adjusted the clutch pedal a little, though I think it was the oil that helped most.

I do think it would be useful to drive another Minor, as I just assumed that the gearchange was as bad as I was experiencing. I'm sure there are tons of insurance and health and safety, liability etc etc issues, but if anyone wants to have a go at driving my pickup then we'll both be at the National.

Simon

[mike.perry]

I'll see what we can sort out on Wednesday, a trip around te pub car park should be ok.