5 replies to this topic

[stevefall]

I drive a 1990 Mini Cooper, with a rod change gear box. When the engine isn't running, the gear lever has no problem finding the gears, but when the engine warms up, it gets increasingly more difficult to locate the gears.
I'm having to force the gear stick into gear, especially first and second.

I'm convinced I must need a new gear box or the rings are worn maybe.
I'm sorry but I couldn't find this in the search and I'm getting worried!

Any ideas guys? Thanks.

[tiger99]

That does not sound like a major problem with the gearbox, but some more information will help. I suspect a dragging clutch, which may be insufficient end float on the primary gear, or the bushes siezing on the crankshaft, or of course the usual clutch hydraulic and operating lever problems. What we need to know to give a more accurate opinion is, does it tend to crunch, or is it just stiff?

 

I would advise a check of the crankshaft end-float in case it is the thrust washers, although I think there is a 90% chance that it will be just a clutch problem, possibly tedious, but not involving taking the engine out.

 

You could do a fairly simple but crude clutch drag test. Jack the front of the car up and support it very securely, with one wheel hanging free, the other firmly on the ground. Try to turn the wheel in the forward direction. After taking up gear backlash it should be very difficult to impossible due to the engine compression. Now get someone to hold the clutch pedal down hard and try again. You will be spinning a lot of gears, so there will be some inertia, but you should be able to rotate the wheel easily. If not, the clutch is dragging.

 

If you have a LSD fitted, that test might not work, and you may have to jack both wheels.

[stevefall]

Thank you for that very detailed response. I didn't even THINK it might be the clutch.
There's no crunching between gears, just stiff to move the gear lever.
I've noticed that my clutch fluid isn't just below the filler neck as it should be and since I bought the mini 2 years ago, I haven't topped up or replaced the fluid.
Could bleeding the clutch fluid help maybe or is it a trip to the garage to replace the clutch? Thanks again!

[tiger99]

I suspect that you are going to need at least new seals in your clutch master and slave cylinders. But bleed it first. The actual clutch may not need attention.

 

But I am getting the impression that something else could be amiss. Is the lever stiff throughout its travel, or only as you approach the point where the gears should engage? If it is stiff everyhwere, the gearchange linkage can be removed, cleaned and lubricated, but if it is only near the engagement points, that again suggests clutch.

 

There is still no indication that your gearbox has internal problems, and you should check all the easier and cheaper things first.

[stevefall]

Thanks again for the quick reply. It's only near engagement that the stiffness begins. I've booked an appointment for my local garage to have a look, but with the suggestions you've made, that should narrow it down for them.
If the clutch gets replaced, ill ask to have the seals and fluid changed. Ill let you know the outcome!

[tiger99]

I don't think they need to change the clutch. If a garage is doing the job, the biggest cost is labour, so I would suggest a new master and slave cylinder, if required. Garages generally will not mess about with seal replacement anyway.