23 replies to this topic

[dobbin1999]

I am the very proud owner of a 1999 Rover Mini 40 which I have owned for 10 years, genuine 20k miles, all provable with all previous  Mot's etc. It's genuinely in immaculate condition (as it should be at this mileage) and is my cherished baby, serviced by me annually, Millers Classic Mini oil etc.

 

 I bought it on Ebay in 2005 at 18k miles for just shy of £5k,  unseen and was not disappointed although the seller wasn't totally honest when he described it as being in "show condition" but I fell in love with it and have never regretted buying it, over the years I have gradually improved it so that now if a dealer was to advertise it would certainly be for around  10-12k, ( I appreciate that an advertised price is not the same as a selling price!). It lives in a garage and never sees rain or gets wet.

 

Now the question. When I first drove the car home it was apparent that it was suffering from the dreaded second gear crunch, although this has got no worse in the 2000 miles that I have driven it and it  doesn't spoil my driving experience, should I bite the bullet and get it sorted during 2016 (if so who by) or live with it on the basis that it doesn't bother me and I'd be unlikely to recoup the cost if I sold it anytime soon.

 

I would imagine that " guessworks" would be in a good position to suggest an approximate  cost but I live in Kent so transporting cost would be a factor to be be considered.

 

All opinions welcome, I'm of an age when I remember the launch of the Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor in 1959 and now consider myself to be as much a custodian of this car as an owner, in other words I want it to outlive me and whilst cost is definitely a consideration I want to do the right thing to make sure  the car is around for future generations to appreciate. 

 

What's your thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[minidaves]

rebuild your box, did lots with less miles than yours in the day, the longer you leave it the more it will cost

[Spider]

I wouldn't leave it and the more you drive it, the great possibility of doing further and more expensive damage. I can't say without checking yours, but if caught early enough, it can be just a straight forward overhaul, however if left, it can also need the replacing of 2nd gear and / or the synchro hub too, both of which new, are expensive.

 

If GW is too far from you, then I'm sure there'd be another reputable firm not too far away who can do the work if you're not up to it. Another possibility is Mini Spares do exchange boxes, then it's more of a fixed cost too.

[sonikk4]

To be honest sending it to John will be the best money spent. We sent ours from Peterborough and was well worth the cost. We also got a centre oil pickup done at the same time. 

[dean]

go see ML motorsport, get the to remove the engine,  either get them to rebuild it or have them send it up to guessworks. or even AC Dood

when it comes back get them to refit it all back as it was. 

 

https://www.facebook...rt-14546041155/

 

they are in Rochester

[rodandtom]

go see ML motorsport, get the to remove the engine,  either get them to rebuild it or have them send it up to guessworks. or even AC Dood

when it comes back get them to refit it all back as it was. 

 

https://www.facebook...rt-14546041155/

 

they are in Rochester

+1. Andy at ML in Higham is a top bloke and knows what he is doing.

Edited by rodandtom, 18 December 2015 - 09:25 PM.

[MrBounce]

I sent my box to John. He arranges for it to be picked up by the courier and once he's worked his magic it comes back in a special custom double-skinned box. £30 well spent.

[cal844]

John at
http://www.guess-works.com

In fact he may well comment on here soon!

[Carlos W]

AC Dodd is doing my box.

I'm sure I contacted Guessworks and he didn't reply.

If you can't remove the engine yourself then Andy at ML will sort that then AC can collect from there.

[dobbin1999]

Thanks for all the comments so far, interesting to note that no one suggests not doing anything!

[Cooperman]

If it is only graunching when changing into 2nd, you could do what we did with every early car and double de-clutch. That way it won't get any worse or harm the 'box in any way further.

[Mini Manannán]

Thanks for all the comments so far, interesting to note that no one suggests not doing anything!

 

It's gone down the 'who's best' line

 

Like Peter says, there are ways of getting around it.  I'm sure you remember having double de-clutch back in the mists of time

[dyshipfakta]

If it is only graunching when changing into 2nd, you could do what we did with every early car and double de-clutch. That way it won't get any worse or harm the 'box in any way further.

This in my opinion I do it anyway out of habit in my new mini because the one it replaced had the same issue.

[Cooperman]

I guess double de-clutching is a skill few drivers learn now and there are few who can teach it.

I learned to drive in an RAF Austin 1-ton truck which had a fully 'crash' gearbox with no syncromesh whatsoever. You either got it right or everyone could hear you get it wrong. It's a very useful skill which I need when I drive a 1950's Nuffield Tractor which we have at the gliding club. I teach the younger members how to change gear on it as well. It is more difficult because it has a hand throttle, but double de-clutching works and is necessary when towing our heavy ground equipment.

All the early Minis had a very poor gearbox and the syncromesh used to last around 3000 miles if you were lucky. It was that way until the baulk-ring syncro was fitted. There was little point is changing those early boxes so we used to treat them as crash 'boxes and double de-clutch all the time. I still often DDC modern manual gearbox cars even now. 

[DFulton]

Obviously not a cure, but there are two ways you can minimise the noise (and presumably further damage) until you get it sorted:

1. Slow down a lot more before changing down to second.
2. Half a bottle of STP in the oil. The gear changes also get noticeably easier.