9 replies to this topic

[mr cooke]

Hi all can anyone please help . I am having problems changing gear from 3rd down to 2nd ( standard 998 box ) , there is a crunch . I have tried double clutch technique but it still crunches . I have asked a friend and he says is the synchro is worn . Is there a possibility it could be something simple before i start pulling it bits . 

Any help well be grateful 

Thanks Chris 

 

 

[Swift_General]

What oil are you using? Are you happy clutch is working okay? Ultimately I would suspect worn baulk ring though.

Edited by Swift_General, 28 March 2017 - 06:14 PM.

[mr cooke]

What oil are you using? Are you happy clutch is working okay? Ultimately I would suspect worn baulk ring though.

I am using the morris 20/50 oil

[Cooperman]

Learn to do accurate double de-clutching and the problem will no longer be one. All early Minis crunched in all gears and after about 5000 miles from new there was no syncro at all. The baulk-ring boxes were introduced in about 1963 to cure this, but those of us who had Minis before then sure learned how to change gear. Some of us had already learned on vehicles with no syncro-mesh at all, just a 'crash' gearbox. I learned on an RAF truck which had a crash box. That stood me in good stead when I got my first Mini, a 1961 850.

[mr cooke]

Learn to do accurate double de-clutching and the problem will no longer be one. All early Minis crunched in all gears and after about 5000 miles from new there was no syncro at all. The baulk-ring boxes were introduced in about 1963 to cure this, but those of us who had Minis before then sure learned how to change gear. Some of us had already learned on vehicles with no syncro-mesh at all, just a 'crash' gearbox. I learned on an RAF truck which had a crash box. That stood me in good stead when I got my first Mini, a 1961 850.

Would you mind explaining how to accurate double de-clutch

Thanks 

[Swift_General]

I ask as if the oil is 'too slippery' then the reduction in friction can reduce the effectiveness of the baulk rings, although if it gets to the point where oil makes a difference wear is probably advanced in any case. That oil should be fine though.

[Cooperman]

If, say, coming down from 3rd to 2nd you push the clutch down, move the gear lever into the neutral position and let the clutch up again. Then you give the engine a quick rev and as the revs are just dropping again you push the clutch down and as you do this move the gear lever into the 2nd gear position. With practice it becomes second nature and a very smooth way to change gear. In fact, with more practice you can actually change gear without using the clutch pedal at all.

To double de-clutch when changing up you just press the clutch down, move the lever to neutral, let the clutch up, then push the clutch down again and shift into the next gear up.

[minimans]

If, say, coming down from 3rd to 2nd you push the clutch down, move the gear lever into the neutral position and let the clutch up again. Then you give the engine a quick rev and as the revs are just dropping again you push the clutch down and as you do this move the gear lever into the 2nd gear position. With practice it becomes second nature and a very smooth way to change gear. In fact, with more practice you can actually change gear without using the clutch pedal at all.

To double de-clutch when changing up you just press the clutch down, move the lever to neutral, let the clutch up, then push the clutch down again and shift into the next gear up.

He He! It sounds so easy for us older folk..............took my kids ages to master double de-clutching but eventually they got it right, after all I wouldn't let them drive the mini or Series 1 rover until they did!

[Spider]

It sounds like the Baulk Ring has worn.

 

Continued driving will damage 2nd gear and possibly the Synchroniser Assembly.

 

You could have these parts replaced, however it does entail stripping of the gearbox to do so.

 

Also, from my experience, once the gearboxes start doing these, there'll be other wear issues with the gearbox and for these reasons, I'd be suggesting a reconditioned gearbox.

[RooBoonix]

It sounds like the Baulk Ring has worn.

 

Continued driving will damage 2nd gear and possibly the Synchroniser Assembly.

 

You could have these parts replaced, however it does entail stripping of the gearbox to do so.

 

Also, from my experience, once the gearboxes start doing these, there'll be other wear issues with the gearbox and for these reasons, I'd be suggesting a reconditioned gearbox.

 

Speaking from personal experience, Moke is spot on here. My box started crunching 2nd after I had owned my Mini for about a year and covered around 1000 miles. I continued driving, I double de-clutched and nursed it to try and help. 6000 miles later I'm stripping the engine and box (through choice) and the 2nd gear baulk ring was so worn it was completely useless. 1st, 3rd and 4th were relatively good. I replaced the lot anyway. The crunching of 2nd gear worn the synchro teeth on the gear itself, so I replaced it for a new item.

 

I ended up spending £300 or so on parts for my gearbox alone, after finding my double roller bearing was damaged, and then it's silly not to replace all the needle roller bearings whilst it's apart. And the layshaft. And the differential planet gears. And the differential pin. Do you get where I'm going here? Whilst the issue can be avoided/worked around, ultimately the box is worn and as Moke says a reconditioned unit would be a good idea. If you add up the individual components, they really aren't that dear either.

 

My Mini had covered around 90k miles by this point, and whilst the engine itself was in very good condition for it's age, the gearbox did definitely show signs of aging. I am excited to get it all back on the road though, especially after spending more than 3 times as much as I wanted to 

 

Good luck!

Cam.

Edited by RooBoonix, 28 March 2017 - 10:29 PM.