Morris Minor Owners Club

Hello again! The Trav's been behaving itself for ages, but as of yesterday it has developed a rather alarming trundly sort of noise in third gear, like the sound of cogs rumbling together, and accompanied by a notable amount of vibration through the gearstick.

Looking through previous posts on similar matters, I'm wondering if it would be worth looking into the anti-rattle system, or do you think I should be looking for a new gearbox ASAP?

Always check the oil level first and remember it is engine oil that goes in the gearbox....

Another box asap........

Thanks for your replies!

I checked the oil level first thing; it's still up to the top, and clean oil (changed it last year).

Right, hunting for new G/B.

Is it a 1098 box? I have a spare as I bought a replacement and then discovered it was my clutch that was the problem. I'm going to put photos of 1st and 2nd gear up soon so someone can check that it is fine!

I paid £30 for it last week so you can have it for £50.

Only jokin, £30 is fine.

Bargain if the gears are ok............

bmcecosse wrote:Bargain if the gears are ok............

They look almost identical to my old box. i.e. in good nick but I've put photos up on my "fitting a gearbox" thread if anyone wants to have a look. It will also come with a decent thrust bearing but no gearstick. I have a spare gearstick but possibly from the old 803cc box.

It is a 1098, Dave, and thank you very much for the offer. I've reluctantly decided that I can't change out the gearbox myself (lack of facilities and equipment) and shall be talking with A Reputable Someone this evening, after which I shall have a better idea of the next move.

I drained the gearbox, and found this little rascal



...which offers an explanation for the rumbly noise, I guess.

I've been running the car carefully, avoiding 3rd gear, and after ringing around and finding that there appears to be a bit of a run on gearboxes at the mo, I have had a chat with John Evans in Hampshire, who does gearboxes and is going to supply me with a reconditioned box. I figured that if I have to go through the faff of changing out the gearbox, I want to be as sure as poss that the ingoing one is going to be in good order.

And a mobile mechanic based in Bristol, who has been highly recommended on this forum ( ) has undertaken to do the change, because I can't do it myself, which may not be very Zen but is a bit of a relief in this case too

No need to be shy about the good service mechanic in Bristol - we are allowed (even encouraged!) to praise - but absolutely no criticism allowed!! I'm sure you can offer help with the gearbox swap !

at the very least, I make a mean cup of tea

I've now got a reconditioned gearbox in the car! I got the gearbox from John E Evans on Hayling Island, and it was put in by Russell, of RTG Services here in Brizzle. Thank you, both! Write-up, with pictures, on blog here...

http://dru-withoutamap.blogspot.com/201 ... arbox.html

Well done -should give you good service! Good praise for Russel too - and his hoist looks almost as good as my 'swing'!

Thanks for the nice comments Dru, You did help loads! as my back was giving me some problems, It was nice that you were so keen and helpfull, it made it a pleasure of a job.

Thanks again
Russell

Interesting to see you pulled the whole engine + gearbox out (and removed front panel) rather than struggle under the car to change the box ??

I find this the easiest way to change the gearbox on the road side, it dose not take long to remove the front and disconnect the engine, though you I have had a lot of practice doing it this way.

It's a lot nicer to do whatever jiggling is needed to mate the engine and gearbox out of the car.
It's amazing how much heavier a gearbox gets if it doesn't go into place on the first try .

Been there done that - can't agree more!