Morris Minor Owners Club

hi every one my gearbox has been getting noisier.its not noisy when its under load but when you lift your foot off.i took it to a garage in mill hill and the mechanic took it for a drive. we put it on the ramp and found that the main oil seal has gone where it joins on th the prop shaft.you can move the prop shaft up and down so i have a new gearbox on order oh well thats the slush fund gone.

nasty is a new new one youve ordered? the thought of the cost makes me shiver !

The rear oil seal usually fails due to excessive play in the gearbox main bearings, hence the excess play at the propshaft. The gearbox usually rumbles even in neutral with this fault though. Excessive noise on overrun tends to be the thrust washers on the main shaft, or worn layshaft and bearings. I just hope the replacement box is good. I had to do the job twice, as the first replacement I got from one of the main suppliers was very noisy, 2nd one has been fine.

Worth checking the clutch when it's all in bits, and replace the release bearing if it's done more than 10,000 miles.

Also check the input splines in the propshaft nose haven't been worn too much.

the clutch has only done 3000 miles replaced that when the engine was replaced so should be ok the gearbox will be a recon one i think its being done by a moggie minor garage in mill hill cant say firms names i might be advertising

its being done by a moggie minor garage in mill hill cant say firms names i might be advertising

Hi Dale there is no problem in mentioning specialist Minor garages you have had good service from on the board its only Moderators who are not allowed to mention them, and I am sure Nick will look after Myrtle for you

thanks kevin i am sure he will do a good job he is having problems with the supplyers seems there is a shortage of moggie gear boxes i will nearly have a new car at this rate, only the diff propshaft and half shafts to be replaced then thats all the mechanicals lets hope that the later three go on for a few more years they should do i dont drive it hard,that often.

I noticed that ESM have stopped selling gearboxes and they now refer you to the company that rebuilds the boxes. Not a good move IMHO, since Bull Motif are still doing the boxes direct to the customer.

In fact, since a certain merger between two of the main suppliers, the resulting single company seems to be losing the plot IMHO. Loads of parts out of stock as well on their website.

yes i have seen that on esm
i try others now

This looks like a good one on e-bay at the moment:


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MORRIS-1000-FACTO ... dZViewItem

If I need any work doing on the car that I can't manage myself I always buy the parts first then give them to the garage to fit as I find that it works out cheaper.

thats a 948 box

Dennis had a recon box for sale??

I noticed that ESM have stopped selling gearboxes and they now refer you to the company that rebuilds the boxes. Not a good move IMHO

Well they do say that's due to the handling/carriage costs which may be pushing the costs up a bit, but is it also down to the spare parts problems/shortages for the gearboxes that was mentioned at the AGM in 2006 and still an ongoing problem at last years AGM.

i have 2 recon gearboxes

I didn't know the gearboxes are in short supply. This is quite worrying given that they are a well known weak point of the transmission. Probably a good idea to source a Ford Type 9 with fitting kit while the they are still available! I wonder if any supplier will step up to the plate and resolve this.

So folks, look after that gearbox, check oil level on a regular basis, and don't thrash it!

I think there are plenty of good spare boxes around - I have two stashed away ! No need to panic just yet!

As for this original problem - I would just fit a cheap know good spare (there really are plenty about) and not worry too much about the 'recon' - then have the original box opened up and sorted out to keep as a spare!

How about this box - must be worth a punt!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Morris-Ribbed-Cas ... dZViewItem

hi folks i have got my new gearbox in.what a differance no rattles no vibrations and the gear lever is tight.it is so much quieter.i should be set up for a few more years.i have done the engine now the gearbox i supose it will be the diff next any way i am pleased with the results.

Nice one. Diffs last for ever if serviced regularly (Hypoid Change). Even after they start to whine they are like a Duracell