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 - noisy sprite gearbox

The gearbox on my 62 Sprite is quite noisy in 4th above 50mph. Is this normal ? I changed the transmission oil recently, but no improvement.

thanks
Jerry

Jerry

Jerry,

The 4th is a "prise directe" a direct drive. So it is more likely the diff that makes the noise

Flip



Flip Brühl 948 frog 59

Jerry,
every box i had (six of em)at speed sounded like the a bag of spanners being shaken around by the garage monster himself, the noise was quite incredible, it all quietened down when i fitted a T9, trouble was... then i could hear the engine better, so gave it more welly!
Change to a T9, nornal gearboxes really are rubbish.

Diff noises are quite different, but all add up to a general mechanical clatter on the move.

cheers
Brad
B Richards

My midget was so quiet when I fitted the type9 I almost disliked it, it had lost a part of the Spridget allure

But it didnt take long to get used to hearing other cars on the road

Songs on the radio

Birds in the hedgerows

Actual engine noises

and the missus nagging :-(

but well worth doing for all that
Bill

I have a thing against A series ribbed gearboxes as I had 3 in a row POS gearboxes, but I have driven some ribbed A series boxes which were really sweet, quiet, smooth, and precise. The only smooth case box I have driven had no synchro left so was an exercise in learning to double declutch in about half a day.
David Billington

I've nowt against A series's boxes intrinsically

I learned to drive in dad's A35 and had to learn how when and whether to change down properly etcetera

and loved that car
Bill

>>>normal gearboxes really are rubbish.
=== my experience is fundamentally opposite; I fitted a factory Goldseal unit in about 1977 and it did close to 100000 miles including a lot of autotests and grass tests etc wihtout any problem. It was still good when swapped for a Morris 1000 box when we went trialling (lower ratios for the hills).
David Smith

Jerry, did any of that actually answer your question... ?

I have rebuilt many smooth and ribcase boxes and can tell you that yes, they do wear, but usually after much abuse or high miles. Remember these gearboxes are up to 50 years old now and deserve some recognition.

My thoughts are two fold. As Flip mentions, it could be the diff which is not unusual, but it could also be the gearbox bearings which I would expect to be tired after many years of running.

Perhaps a rebuild over winter may be the answer, but beware, 'A' Type gearbox bits are very hard to find these days!

Mark.
Mark T. Boldry

Plus if you change to a T9 you gain a proper 1st & a 5th, now i can drive the car how i want, not around the chocolate gearbox, ummm come to think about it, thats probably why i'm on my third diff now since the change, oh & a couple of half shafts too :-) fun times.

cheers
Brad
B Richards

Interesting comments, thanks. I am tempted to change to a Sierra 5-speed box, (or maybe a Nissan) - how would the cost compare to having mine rebuilt, and where can I get it done ?

Incidentally, the noise I'm getting is best described as a chattering, gnashing noise, which is only really apparent over 50 in 5th, and is worst when I just ease off the power (ie not under drive). It is by no means excessively loud. I just wondered if it was a sign of an impending problem (being mindful of a Polo I used to own whose gearbox broke up a few months after emitting a barely-perceptible whine).

Jerry
Jerry

*4th (obviously!)
Jerry

The cheapest option is just to stay in 3rd gear then.
Brad
B Richards

This thread was discussed between 21/09/2008 and 25/09/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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