5 replies to this topic

[robbie-woods]

Well i have a 1989 mini and it been in for mot and an advisory was to replace the gearbox stabilisers but where the hell are they and how easy are they to do?? im so stuck im new to the mini and dont no where to look

Any help is better than none many thanks
Robbie

[robbie-woods]

should have added its a 998cc pre verto im not sure if this helps

thanks

[Sherlock]

The most common fitment of gearbox stabiliser is found adjacent to the sump drain plug, (clutch end of engine) it is fitted to a flat bracket bolted to the bottom of the transfer casing & runs forward to the front beam of the subframe. Normally it is only necessary to change the bushes at the gearbox end, which is an easy unbolt-replace-bolt back job. The subframe end is harder to get to, a socket set with a universal drive can be a help. The alternative stabiliser fits on a bracket at the bottom of the gearbox on the radiator side (rear of gearbox) & runs to a hole in the frame under the driveshaft area, that is very simple to change. It could actually have both, I have done that on my Mini.

[robbie-woods]

ok sounds easy enough i was told just the rubber bushes needed doing so i will have a look tomorrow

cheers

[Sherlock]

Always happy to help, if you have any more difficulty I'm usually around, but one thing I should say, if you just use your Mini on the road, stay with the standard stabiliser bushes, there are very hard alternatives for competition & hard use, but they transmit a lot of vibration into the car. Good luck with the repair & with your new venture into the world of Minis, I hope you get as much fun out of it as I have over the past 40 years.

[oc1sup]

Might be worthwhile checking the rubber mountings on the rear of the gear lever extension whilst you're under the car - they may have deteriorated as well.