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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Whining gearbox

The gearbox in my '69 midget tends to whine at all tines except when the clutch is depressed. Any suggestions?
I M CHRISTIE

It's worth familiarising yourself with how the gearbox works - i.e. which bits are turning in which situations, you can then be a bit more systematic in your diagnosis.

That said, all you can really do with it in the car is to check the oil level and quality and change that if unsure.

If you take it out of the car then you are probably in for a complete rebuild or an exchange unit as the chances of there being one worn bit and the rest perfect are low.

AdrianR

may well be the first motion shaft bearing, but as Adrian says, not much you can do about it without taking the box out...
Rob Armstrong

Are you sure it is from the gearbox?

As suggested a low cost (of time, money and effort) is to do a thorough oil change and check the condition of the oil that comes out and look for muck and metal bits.

Get the existing oil as warm/hot as possible by driving the car in a manner to get it so then leave the oil to drain out for as long as possible to empty out as much existing, oil, muck, crud and possibly bits.

You could also do the same, at the same time, for the back axle as this may help to reduce any whine from there too and again you can check the condition and state of the oil that comes out of there too.

Many (most) owners don't bother with gearbox (or rear axle oil) changes too often, if ever, yet with the MGB it is recommended to change the engine oil in the gearbox every 2 years or 24k-miles whichever is soonest.
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 05/06/2018 and 06/06/2018

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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