MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Gear leaver wags like a dogs tail

Hi all, some advice needed please. My 1275 78 midget has developed a an issue with the gear lever. At speed the lever really vibrates and is quite noisy. also as you change down to first gear you can feel a knocking through it.My initial thoughts were UJ or clutch. What do you guys think ?
Kind regards
Ben.
B G Rhodes

welcome aboard Ben

Not to be critical... but some of your info is a bit off... so we will need a bit of clarity.

the last year for the 1275 was 1974. at mid 1974 the engine and transmission changed to the triumph 1500 until the company went bankrupt

so a 1978, 1275 is not doable unless a creative former owner owned a.screw driver and a spare engineto play with

prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Prop, your quite right. I have my engines mixed up. Mine is a 1500 and my other cars engine (mini) is 1275.
B G Rhodes

I wish i could be more help, but I dont know much about the 1500s, but others will be along shortly

at least I was able to help remove some of the perverbial horse meat from the hotdogs...Haha

prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Hi Ben,
I know little and even less about Midget 1500, I wonder if the vibration is simply the gear lever itself, the rubber(?) isolating bit on it breaking down or much more likely the seating cup below the very bottom of the lever worn, replace and new spring a few pence

the knocking through first could be the same thing or another issue

you've checked the oil level in your gearbox and condition of the oil?

your clutch feels as if it has a good action? (how old is the fluid)

if you want to you can Customise your title to your first name

and add your vehicle profile and add a photo of your car - these can sometimes help with asking and answering questions

if you've not already got it there's a very good £8 investment you can make on your car - (Ref:0058) - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Handbooks_5.html



also see Ref: 0016 - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Parts_Lists_3.html

and Ref: 0002 - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Workshop_Manuals.html
Nigel Atkins

ETA:

or instead of the last two paper books the electronic version - http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-HMCC3010DVD
Nigel Atkins

There should be an anti-rattle plunger and spring in the ball-shaped pivot in the lever, just under the retainer cap. See if that's there.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Gryf, there's certain one on the 1275s but unsure about the 1500s.

More to the point, the plunger and spring was missing from my car when the gearbox was refurbished and the lever rattles quite a bit when the gearbox gets hot. I've had no success fitting a replacement - when you try to replace the gear lever the spring goes sideways and and it end up in the bottom of the box.

Is there a trick to doing this? I'd love to know, but for the moment I let the exhaust note mask the rattle.
Peter B

1500s have a different type of the same thing, anti-rattle cup and spring

Peter,
have a look at a parts diagram to see the order and place, I've never done one for a 1500 but on the 1275 they just drop into place
Nigel Atkins

Thanks guys, I am going to to some investigative work on Friday and see if I can't pin point the bother. Hadn't thought of gear leaver spring. Did think of gear box mounting rubbers tho.
Ben.
B G Rhodes

spring and cup, they might push on rather than drop in as per Gryf post

perhaps the rattle/vibration is less noticeable on a 1500 than a 1275 as so few 1500 owners have replied
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 03/03/2013 and 06/03/2013

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.