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 MGA - Transmission Problem

Yesterday, after downshifting my MGA from 3rd to 2nd and releasing the clutch petal, I found the transmission was no longer engaged and therefore no power, yet I could depress the clutch petal and move the gear shift through all gears. No noise at the time and nothing to suggest a problem brewing. Any thoughts as to what the problem might be? Thanks in advance.
T M Wilson

Assuming that you are unable to select any gear but the shift lever moves freely, the problem is likely in the extension casting for the shift linkage and lever. If you are lucky, you may have just broken off the small end of the shift lever, pull it off and see what you find.
John H

More thoughts (brain just started up), If you can feel the transmission change gears by turning the rear wheels and shifting but engine power is not getting to the wheels you could have a clutch that is hung up, a hydraulic or mechanical problem with the slave cylinder, or a broken transmission input shaft.
John H

Could be a half shaft broken in the rear axle. Get someone in the car and watch underneath to see if the prop shaft is turning. But dont get run over if it happens to move!!
Bob (robert)

I downshifted going around a corner in a 58 Coupe back in 75 and sheared the diff housing, (case inside diff that holds the spider gears) and quietly coasted to a stop. If the engine drives the propshaft and you aint moving its broken axle or diff.
If the shaft isn't turning answer these questions 1 does the crutch pedal feel normal? 2 does the slave move normally ? 3 does the shifter "feel" normal.
Could be a failed clutch assy also.
Randy
R J Brown

If the speedo moves and the car doesn't then it axle time if the speedo doesnt move the problem would appear to be in the selector mechanism.
Iain MacKintosh

thanks to all of you who offered advise. It turned out to be a broken rear axle.
mike wilson

This thread was discussed between 16/09/2005 and 21/09/2005

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.