3 replies to this topic

[DaveJH]

My mini is really testing my patience (and the depth of my pocket). Three weeks ago while replacing the rear suspension components I realised my rear subframe was completely shot (despite getting through the MOT without advisory!). So out came the credit card and on went a new subby. Then the car broke down 150 miles away from home and refused to start (this time I was lucky to notice a snapped wire to the coil). I got it home and now the gearbox has completely and utterly died! It didn't use to slip or whine, though very recently it scraped a little into gear but now it won't select any gear at all. Below are some more details:

Car: '96 SPi (1275)

Symptoms: unable to select any gear. While dying it was in second, it made a strange sound (like something had fallen off), gave a little lurch, then after finally popping out of second it won't go into any gear.

Previous: Seemed fine, though it did pull to the right under acceleration and to the left under deceleration. Tracking wasn't done which may account for one direction, but not sure why it pulled both ways, maybe linked? Was a little crunchy into gear just days before it died, but otherwise fine.


So, question time. Is it worth me trying to rebuild it myself? I have no money at all so as much as I'd like to, I cannot afford to get Guessworks on the job. (Though his advice would be much appreciated!) What I do have is a mate with a garage willing to help for half the usual cost and time.

Is it better to buy another second hand box? If so, what should I look out for? Which one should I get? I've done some searching around and it appears most boxes fit but may have different diff ratios. That means nothing to me yet (but I'm about to watch Guesswork's rebuild videos and I am a MEng student so hopefully that will change).

What is the rough cost for a second hand decent box?


Cheers! There are cookies for anyone who helps

Edited by DaveJH, 08 August 2012 - 09:19 PM.

[oltonlad]

it sounds like the diff is about to break free from the gearbox casing............do not run the car anymore, you will need to take the engine out and remove the box, part of the diff may already be stuck in the gear selector which is why u cant select any gears, if you remove the diff and have it rebuilt (with a competition diff pin or 4 pin diff) you should be ok wiith the rest of the gearbox once any debris has been removed and the gearbox has been flushed out, if the gearbox was ok selecting gears before and wasnt crunching gears then i would stick with the original gearbox,

[jagman.2003]

Sounds like you need to work out what's wrong with the gearbox before purchasing anything expensive. Buying second hand can be fine but it will be hard to find out what you've bought until you drive it. Taking the engine & box out can be done quite quickly. I did my last one over four days on my own no problem including putting it back in.

[DaveJH]

Thanks for the advice, I have spoken a little with GuessWorks through PM, I might have sourced a working gearbox I can just stick straight on in replacement to avoid having to get tools to refurb the current one, just waiting for confirmation tomorrow. Then if I can, I'd like to pull apart the broken one just out of interest. Engine is coming out tomorrow, then I'll know more about what has broken!