15 replies to this topic

[garbaty]

I have Austin Mini, 998 cc, year 1984.

I have problem with losing/droping gears (sorry for my English, maybe I don't properly name the problem). The gear (usually 2nd and 1st) just disengage when I make hard breaking and then hard cornering. For example after such hard turn I think that I still have 2nd gear and trying to accelerate but then I realize that I am on idle gear and can't accelerate before shifting gear again (which happen smoothly and without any problem).

Other problem is synchro of 1st gear (grinding), but I suppose that it could be other kind of problem and could not be connected with the above.

I wonder if this disengaging gears could be a result of some gear linkage problem and it is easy to repair without moving out the engine, or you suggest that there is an engine/transmission move out necessary to fix this issue?

I searched the forum but didn't find any problem similiar to mine.

PS. I think that there should not be a problem with engine->subframe and subframe->floor/body mountings because it was just fixed and these should be quite good.

Thanks for you answer. )

Edited by garbaty, 20 April 2009 - 09:49 AM.

[Nightrain]

The rod change has 2 rubber bobbins on it's housing to attach it to the floor/tunnel, often the case when these get worn the whole change mechanism will move on deceleration pulling it out of gear. Also check all engine mounts and steady bars.

[garbaty]

The rod change has 2 rubber bobbins on it's housing to attach it to the floor/tunnel, often the case when these get worn the whole change mechanism will move on deceleration pulling it out of gear. Also check all engine mounts and steady bars.

Thanks, I will check it today.

[MRA]

Did you have these faults before you had the engine mounts changed ? As Nightrain says, you should check these again, as maybe they were not fitted correctly or have come loose.... including top engine steady as well.....

does it feel as if there is any suspension movement at the same time ?? it could be that the rear subframe mounts have failed........

If all feels smooth with no knocking and banging then assume gearbox fault

[Nightrain]

it could be that the rear subframe mounts have failed........

Couldn't resist, the REAR subframe mounts won't effect the gear change............ because in no way is it attached to the gearbox, it's at the back of the car

[MRA]

ha ha............. I meant the rear mounts on the front subframe but thanks for pointing out my error

bang to rights

[garbaty]

Did you have these faults before you had the engine mounts changed ? As Nightrain says, you should check these again, as maybe they were not fitted correctly or have come loose.... including top engine steady as well.....

does it feel as if there is any suspension movement at the same time ?? it could be that the rear subframe mounts have failed........

If all feels smooth with no knocking and banging then assume gearbox fault

This happened before engine mounts changing and after that as well. Top and front mounts of the engine have been also repaired, so the engine moves only when the subframe moves and the mounting is very rigid and steady.

If it could be a fault inside of gearbox I wonder why it doen't happen for example when the car is shaking when driving on not very flat road.

Edited by garbaty, 20 April 2009 - 01:23 PM.

[MRA]

Are your roads that bad in Poland ?

Sorry did you say the subframe was fixed solid ? if it happens more when cornering I would say its the subframe mounts........ driving down a road on and off the throttle would dislodge a loose synchro if it was happening on the straight......

So yes it does suggest that your gearbox is ok

[garbaty]

Thanks.

Are your roads that bad in Poland ?

Yes... Unfortunatelly for Mini passangers (and drivers also ) we have a lot of bad roads. Especially in my surroundings (i.e. Warsaw). But is is changing slowly for better.

[MRA]

ah yes now I know where all our good roads are going.... they are being exported to Poland

[garbaty]

ah yes now I know where all our good roads are going.... they are being exported to Poland

I have some photos of these two rubber "bobbins" And not only:













The "bobbins" are quite elastic, I wouldn't say that they are very steady. The rubber is soft, but not cracked. Before disassembling rod change housing easily moved forward and rear for about 2-3 cm, and there was no big strength needed to move it.

Maybe you can see something strange on the above photos? Except this oil leaks. /

[MRA]

theres your problem........................ its not fixed to your car ????

but what about the front subframe mounts....... at the rear of the subframe just under the footwell ?

[garbaty]

theres your problem........................ its not fixed to your car ????

but what about the front subframe mounts....... at the rear of the subframe just under the footwell ?

It was fixed, but I unscrewed it to see the condition of these rubbers. Do you think that this rubber could be too elastic and it needs to be replaced? Or it couldn't be a problem?

Front subframe mounts are just repaired and very steady.

[MRA]

THey only support the gear stick end, if its "flapping" around whilst driving you may get instances where this causes trouble, however I think its something else.... we must be missing something...

Ok lets tick off the list

1) all six fromt subframe mounts are good and solid ?
2) all engine mountings especially the lower ones are good and solid (gently lever the engine up to see if split) ?
3) The body shell is good and solid ?

Then it must be internal.......

Does it happen if you turn either way or just when turning to the right ?
Does it happen on every corner ?

[garbaty]

THey only support the gear stick end, if its "flapping" around whilst driving you may get instances where this causes trouble, however I think its something else.... we must be missing something...

Ok lets tick off the list

1) all six fromt subframe mounts are good and solid ?
2) all engine mountings especially the lower ones are good and solid (gently lever the engine up to see if split) ?
3) The body shell is good and solid ?

Then it must be internal.......

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Maybe it could be the reason? I cannot be very sure of that.

Does it happen if you turn either way or just when turning to the right ?
Does it happen on every corner ?

I don't know whether the reason is in braking or cornering. I usually observe disengaged gear on corner, but it could disengage on hard braking before starting cornering. And I think there is no rule that is only right corners or only left. Rather either way.

And it does not happen on every corner, I could say that it is 70% of corners.