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MG MGA - Gear Grinding

Hey All,

I know I have read the problem to this before but it was sometime ago. I have a 59 A that I am trying to get on the road. When driven before I put it up on jack stands, I could not down shift from 2nd to 1st without the gears grinding. I had to stop the vehicle and put the car into 1st gear before continuing on. I remember seeing this similar question with answers posted before, but honestly do not remember what the problem and fix is.

thanks,
Don Rosales

That's normal--the 1st gear is not synchronized. that's how we all do it (or learn double clutching.)
R. L Carleen

This Google search:-

http://tinyurl.com/p7edv

throws up a number of different descriptions of how to Double Declutch, which you will have to do, as RLC, to downshift to 1st gear on the move.

You may like to double declutch on all downshifts, for a quicker smoother change, and to be kinder to your gearbox (if you get it right !).

Nigel Steward

First gear is only for pulling tree stumps anyway. To use it, come to a complete stop, then shift into second and then into first. It should go in without any fuss.
Steve Simmons

I'm with Steve.

There is no syncromesh on a standard MGA gearbox. A late MGB box, or a 5 speed from somewhere else will have a syncro first.

I killed a box in short time trying to double declutch, after a seeing the damage to the gears and the amount of small shiney bits in the bottom of the case, gave the practice away.

After rebuilding, I never tried to change into first again on the run, and as well I always touched third gear first to make sure that anything still spinning inside was bought to a halt befire going into first or reverse.

Cheers
Ian F



Ian Fraser

Don

There is no synchtro on first as others have said. Shifting into first gear on the move is a very bad idea, and should never be necessary (if moving, second gear should always be good).

To select first at standstill without a crunch, just nudge the gearstick towards second gear, and then select first gear. You will soon find out how far you have to nudge into the second gear to select first without a crunch.

dominic clancy

Nigel,
I tried the web address you gave , but with no success.
Any ideas.
Nigel
Nigel Munford

Don
Even though there is no syncro in first gear I can shift into first while on the move, sort of. What I mean is just before I mean just before the car comes to a stop I can, with the clutch in shift into first gear with no grinding.
Kris
Kris Sorensen

Nigel

I just tried the "Tiny URL" & it worked!

The full URL is:-

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=double+declutching&btnG=Google+Search

Nigel Steward

The Full URL is truncated !

You'll have to add "-declutch" on the end!

Probably easier to do a Google search for:-

double-declutch

Nigel Steward

It is simple - do not put it in first unless you are a cpmplete stop. It just isn't worth the chance of chipping teeth to save that half second it takes to stop the car.

I've shifted into first when racing by doing a very accurate (lucky?) double clutch downshift, I've even run a whole race with no clutch hydraulics, doing probably a few hundred shifts that way, but sooner or later you WILL trash the gearbox
Bill Spohn

this got me thinking... so I posted this...

1st Gear Syncro conversion or 5th gear thread


Mark Hester

This thread was discussed between 08/05/2006 and 10/05/2006

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