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MG TD TF 1500 - Trans making a little noise

Sounds like a shaft/bearing rattle in 3rd (especially) and 4th. Not bad, I think she'll hold for a while, but I'd like to get a diagnosis nailed down to try to predict the future.

None of the gear sing... very quiet.

The cluster gear shaft on a B 40 years ago went egg shaped and it cost me a tooth.

So.... I was thinking about:

1. Picking up a trans, rebuilding it and swapping as soon as it's done.

2. Picking up a rebuilt trans and swapping as soon as it's here.

3. Waiting til Winter when I'm pulling the engine/trans anyway.

4. Set fire to it and dance around its ashes.

I know I can do the rebuild, but the parts alone cost a small fortune if you go for the gold. A professionally donme job might not be a whole lot more.

Is there a trusted source for a rebuild/rebuilt on exchange? (It'd be cool if Dave Clark did this)

.....
MAndrus

It doesn't take long to pull just the box rearwards and check it out. Once upon a time I could roll a TF into the shed and have the gearbox in bits on the bench in 45 minutes (with a helper). They don't take long to rebuild, either, provided machining isn't needed.

Just a silly thought - you are positive it's not shifter rattle? Doesn't go away when you hold the gear knob?

I'd recommend getting into it and seeing what it needs. You won't feel great if the next thing is a loud bang and drive seizure. Mine rattled in 3rd/4th until (after having the remote rebuilt!) we found it was a mainshaft needle roller problem. Someone had fitted caged roller bearings instead of the needles and the cage was breaking up.

Best of luck, David
David Provan

I vote for number 3.

Brian W.
ZBMan

I hope you have better luck than me. I took my transmission to Dave Zyp last Summer and turned out all I had was a nicely painted transmission case. Almost every bearing, shaft, gear and sync had to be replaced. Luckily Dave had several parts transmissions to pull from otherwise I would have either had to find another transmission or go for the 5-speed conversion. I still have mucho money in my transmission!
Rich (TD 3983) Taylor

Mitch, I was thinking of you yesterday at British By The Sea. The new owners of Abingdon Spares were there. I mentioned to them that Bob Seymour, the previous owner of A/S was offering rebuilt gearboxes. Martin seemed to think that one might have come with the load of stuff from Walpole (and Bob's Hay Barn). If interested you might give them a call 1-800-225-0251. Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud,

I called Martin. He'll get hold of Bob and see what's up with it and let me know.

Thanks for the lead.

......
MAndrus

Mitch, if you go for oprion 1,2 or 3 and are in need of complete gearboxes and/or any of the parts new or used please give me a call. I have well over half a ton of "T" gearboxes and parts.
Cheers, Hugh
H.D. Pite

H.D. Pite, Thanks. I'll know soon.

I striped the (replacement) carpets, padding, trans tunnel, etc. Tomorrow if it stops raining I'll go out for a drive and give a really good listen.

Who knows. Maybe it's a rod knock, but I doubt it.

If the trans is coming out... to get the floors out I'll have to ruin them. They look original right down to the nailed in barrel nuts. There's little hope of getting the screws at the edges loose, the heads don't hold a screwdriver bit and they're quite warped.
MAndrus

No point in wrecking the floor boards. I would drill off the heads of the screws starting with a small drill for a pilot and then going to a 1/4" drill. After the floor boards are out soak what is left of the screws that have captive nuts in a 50/50 mixture of ATF and acetone, let them sit overnight and take them out with a pair of vice grips. I have found this mixture of ATF and acetone to be far superior to anything on the market for loosening rusted fasteners.
Cheers, Hugh
H.D. Pite

This thread was discussed between 03/06/2015 and 09/06/2015

MG TD TF 1500 index

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