Morris Minor Owners Club

Just wondered if this was normal/typical of the beast or the precursor to something fatal? but i get what i can only describe as a fizzing/buzzing mechanical vibration based noise from the gear stick of my '64 Traveller but only in 3rd. When i pop in in top it pretty much disappears.
Cheers

My car does not do what you describe. 3rd gear does have a characteristic sound though. As a church bellringer, the sounds of gears and the pitches of the notes are something that I notice. 3rd is my favourite gear for the sound as it sounds quite vintage!

Have you checked the gearbox oil level? This is the most basic of checks and it is what I would do first. If the level is low or looks nasty and especially if you do not have a service history, I would drain the gearbox oil. Put a magnet in the drained oil and swirl it around. There will always be some metal particles from people crunching the gears (especially 1st) but lots of metal particles or bigger bits of metal suggests an issue. Refill, the gearbox with engine oil, ideally fitting a magnetic drain plug at the same time. Then see how it goes.

Tip: Refilling the gearbox with oil from above risks getting oil on the carpets. Another way is to use an oil pump from below. ESM showed me this way and it is what I do. Also very handy for filling the diff.

Sealey TP6804 works well but it is only 1 litre capacity and quite hard work with thick diff oil. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-TP6804- ... 46H02?th=1


Stephen

Thank for the insights. I've not done many miles yet and looing at the PO's paperwork he was fastidious when it came to checking, topping up, oiling, greasing, etc etc. But i will check. Thanks

Sealey Tp6804 Multi-Purpose Mini Pump 1Ltr on its way. Thanks

The 'ball' at the base of the gearlever which locates at the top of the gearbox is held in place by a cover bolted over the top. However, there are also parts to prevent noise from vibration, which occasionally weaken / go missing.

Check out a diagram on ESM or Moss Motors websites - I have replaced the tiny spring/ball-bearing which has reduced the random buzzing noises at various frequencies/speeds.

ESM even does an anti-rattle kit with a number of helpful components which may be less-than-100% in a 60-year-old Minor 'box... https://www.morrisminorspares.com/gearb ... t-p1239145

Do try to remove the spring/ball bearing before withdrawing the gear stick, to prevent the bearing dropping into the 'box...

Many thanks for a few quid i think I'll buy this kit

Wes wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 12:06 pm Sealey Tp6804 Multi-Purpose Mini Pump 1Ltr on its way. Thanks

A simple tip. Warm the oil - it will flow more easily

Tootall wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2024 12:24 pm
ESM even does an anti-rattle kit with a number of helpful components which may be less-than-100% in a 60-year-old Minor 'box... https://www.morrisminorspares.com/gearb ... t-p1239145

Finally got around to installing the anti rattle kit ang OMG the best £5.50 ive spent on the car so far. The change is amazing. Not a peep in whatever gear and such a smooth change.

Top tip use of the long rubber gate screws to screw into the old nylon cup to get it out easily, its going in the bin anyway.