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MG MGA - transmission trouble

Hi folks. I rebuilt my 1500 transmission 2 years ago, and it has been working perfectly ever since. I installed new input shaft and layshaft bearings , new synchro rings, etc. There was very little wear on other internal parts. (gears bushings and such.) Yesterday, while driving, it became difficult to shift up into second gear. I tried it several times. Sometimes it shifts onto 2nd just fine, other times it grinds, and other times it is difficult to shift into second gear. On these occasions it seems like there is some sort of resistance, before second gear can be obtained. It seems to downshift from 3rd to second gear OK. I'm sure there are many people with more experienced with MGA transmissions than I. Would anyone have any ideas as to what has gone wrong, aside from the fact that I rebuilt the tranny myself ;-)
I was thinking (hoping) that something in the shift tower might have gone bad, but this seems like a remote possibility. (no pun intended) Thanks! Glenn
Glenn

Oh Yeah, clutch is almost new, and clutch hydraulics are working perfectly. Pushrod moves fine when the pedal is depressed. Glenn
Glenn

Glen, the difficulty in shifting could be in the remote unit or more likely the selector hardware where the remote bolts to the trans casting. If your clutch is working correctly, normally the only other cause of grinding would be the syncro (balk) rings. A broken or bent shifter fork could aso cause these problems but would likely affect first gear also.
John H

Sounds like clutch hydraulics to me. Specifically the valve in the master. (or air)
Tom

Glenn

If it shifts easily into all of the other gears then the hydraulics are likely fine. The MGA transmission is known for wearing the synchro in second gear quickly with a lot of city driving. If you are having difficulty in just second it could be a worn synchro or like stated above the shifter but I would guess the synchro from your comments. When you rebuilt the transmission did you replace the synchros with brass or steel? Brass was the original and also used in early "B"s but were later changed to steel for durability.

Depending upon the use your car gets (around town or highway)would dictate how quickly the synchro will wear. Try double clutching into second both ways and see if it is any smoother.

Brian
Brian Smith

This thread was discussed between 28/08/2006 and 30/08/2006

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