Gearbox Noise

suffolkpete

Member
Recently changing gear on my 2200SC became increasingly difficult when hot, particularly the 3-2 downchange, requiring a lot of force to go in. Out of the blue the problem went away and the gearchange now is better than it's ever been. The problem is that it has developed a rattling or knocking noise in the low gears, particularly third and related to engine speed. Is this something I can live with or is it a harbinger of some future mechanical catastrophe?
 
When you had the problem on the 3-2 downshift was that just difficult engagement physically, or did it grate as if there was no synchromesh?
 
Just difficult physically, synchromesh was and still is good. Noise is most prominent on light load.

That probably rules out the rear flange being loose, especially since you haven't mentioned that the speedo is wavering.

It could be something broken off inside the box, parts of the synchro hubs breaking off is quite common, and I've seen the cage that holds the balls in the rear bearing break as well, and with things like that they can get jammed between the gears on the way to the bottom of the box and cause more noise.

If you're looking for suggestions of what to do next, I'd say drain the oil, and see how much comes out, and if anything suspicious comes out with it.
 
No, the speedo is not wavering. If it was something jammed in the gears then I would have expected it to be louder as the load increased, it's more like something rattling that's held in place under load.
 
If it was something jammed in the gears then I would have expected it to be louder as the load increased, it's more like something rattling that's held in place under load.

Not necessarily, but with things like that, often you don't know until you take it apart. I doubt there's anything jammed between the gears now, it would just jam in between them on the way down to the bottom, causing more damage at that pinch point.

Like I said, I'd drain the oil and look for clues.
 
I've drained the oil, nothing came out with it. I suppose I'm going to have to find a gearbox rebuilder.

Why not do it yourself?

As far as I remember there aren't any special tools needed, and although there are pitfalls to catch out the unwary, those pitfalls will catch out most rebuiders anyway, so you might as well do it yourself. Plenty of help on here....
 
I'd agree with Harvey, it's not a difficult job. Common hand tools only. And we are standing by to supervise. Here is a bit of a how-to on most of the disassembly & inspection process.

Yours
Vern
 

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^^^ What they said ^^^

My first car was a 2000TC, I was 18 when the gearbox starting making noises. Being a complete novice at cars and most things mechanical, I panicked. My Grandfather talked me into rebuilding it as I was not exactly well off at the time - I had to borrow the money from the church mouse!

I got it out, rebuilt it, rebuilt it again as I missed a bit, then refitted it all by myself, and it worked. All without any help except my grandfather and a Haynes manual.

Richard
 
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