12 replies to this topic

[germini30]

Hi all.
I've got an annoying clunk when I take up drive and when a change gears, mainly when going up the gears.
If I leave the clutch up slowly and it doesn't clunk but if I accelerate then dip the clutch and go for say 2nd or 3rd gear unless I release the clutch pedal slowly it'll clunk again.
I've already fitted new upper and lower steady bar bushes, as well as new engine mounts.
It is a 1989 mini with mg metro 1275 fitted.
Would a top steady from thermostat housing to bulkhead help or is there anything I can look at?
Thank you

[nicklouse]

You say you have fitted new bushes. What type and how long ago? Have grabbed the rocker cover and rocked the engine to see if it is moving?

[Earwax]

Is the top steady the adjustable type?

[germini30]

Hi, no ive not been back out the garage yet, ill give that a try tomorrow, thanks for the reply

[germini30]

Ethel, no standard solid type

[germini30]

Also there is the standard type bar from the gearbox to subframe on the lower OS too

[lsto]

On my car the exhaust sometimes clumps the gear selector, it's on my to do list to sort out. May be worth a look

[coopertaz]

as itso says check exhaust to gear selector clearance also possible steady bar fixing plate that is welded to bulkhead can break

[Cannoli]

Having the same issue on my 1999 SPi. It’s very noticeable when shifting from 1st to 2nd, and sometimes 2nd to 3rd unless I feather the clutch. Never been an issue from 3rd to 4th, however.

[nicklouse]

Also there is the standard type bar from the gearbox to subframe on the lower OS too

They do nothing to stop rocking. As I showed a few years ago.

note there are no stabilisers on the top and the engine mounts are very good originals.

https://youtu.be/c0v...4ZD3YaUoeauTvvt

the bars and mount point give no mechanical advantage.

[alpder]

The clunk may not necessarily be engine/gearbox related. Could instead be something loose or worn on the front suspension, which takes-up as forward force on the front wheels is applied. Worth a look around, perhaps with help from a pry-bar, just in case. Tie-rod is a potential candidate, for example.

[bpirie1000]

I would also suggest looking at the bulkhead to subframe mounts.
Does it sound internal to engine/box?

[germini30]

Think ive found it.
Rocked the engine by pushing and pulling on the rocker cover.
Noticed that the bush on the top steady engine side wasn't right.
The bush was moving back and forth inside the bar.
Inspection revealed that the bolt was bottomed out without the bracket been tight enough to butt up against the rubbers. I removed the bolt and fitted a few washers under its head to space it out a mm or 2.
Refitted it all up and hardly any movement not.
Before it was rocking that much that the hif44 was knocking the bulkhead.
A test drive will show up if its fixed but id like to think it'll be sorted