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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Stiff Gear Changes

Had my midget about a week now but finding problems changing gear. 1st gear this morning cold impossible to engage gear, pulled away in 2nd which was hard to get as car warmed up (10mins) gears became easier to engage. Thoughts please on the solution which hopefully is as easy as gearbox oil change !!! I hope.
j weir

Yes could be, maybe well worth trying

I suggest if the car is new to you to do a FULL and proper 36,000 mile service and think about changing the battery unless you know it's good

For details about your car and a full and proper 36,000 mile service I stongly recommend if you haven't already got a copy that you buy a owners Handbook (as well as or instead of a Haynes)

see - http://www9.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgocregalia&a=&mode=search&cat=Handbooks

You could also try adding SLICK-50 or Molyslip to g/box and back axle (not for overdrive gearboxes or limited slip diffs)

If the full and proper 36,000 mile service doesn't cure your gearbox problem (the clutch fluid change as part of that service could also help) it's not wasted it would need doing sooner ot later but you'd then have to think about your cluthch or g/box



Nigel Atkins

OR - it could just be that you're not used to the car and the gearbox already - and need time to get used to it!

It seems that, recently, alot of people have come on with loads of problems that they are having with their cars, but have only had them for a matter of days, and, there's probably nothing at all wrong with them that a bit of driving around to get used to them won't solve!

I do also second the view that you do a full service on it though - you can never know what's been done before, so should pretty much do that with any new car you buy ....
rachmacb

Possible that the clutch needs bleeding. Can't engage first gear but can go into second with difficulty indicates to me that the clutch is not fully disengaging.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

I'd check fluid in clutch mcyl; and maybe bleed the system. Maybe the reason you're finindg it diffcult to change gear is that the clutch isn't releasing fully.

Actually - you might tell us:

- can you select gears easily when the engine is off
- and does it get harder to change when the engine is running?

This would imply clutch release problem. Does it get better if you pump the clutch? Suggests low fluid / needs bleeding / poor seals in s/cyl or m/cyl.

If it's hard to select all the time - this would suggest problem with the remote/gear selection assy.

HTH

A
Anthony Cutler

As I'm still waiting for my lift -

Excellent advice to drive the car to get used to it

And drive it and service it regularly to keep the car in good order, a sitting car can possibly just store up problems

Also advice about perhaps bleeding the clutch which would be in the 36,000 mile service (hint)
Nigel Atkins

J Weir
first things first

what car?
is it a ribcase or triumph box
what MC do you have

All verry relevant to gearchange problems
Onno Könemann

Good point, Onno. Different advice will apply to different transmissions. If you have a Midget 1500, the box uses 80/90 gear lube. If an earlier model, it uses engine oil.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Don't forget - the first cog is straight cut. Try getting reverse first then shift to first, or second, let the clutch bite slightly and try first again.
D le Versha

Synchronise the gears by pulling the leaver against second gear, not engaging it and then push it in first. Smooth as baby's buttocks.
Alex G Matla

This thread was discussed between 23/06/2010 and 30/06/2010

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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