Jump to content

Noisy gearbox


chrisoleary

Recommended Posts

Probably been covered a lot of times before but I can't find out enough information before i decide whether to keep my series 3 or look for a defender.

I have recently jumped into series 3 ownership after buying a 1971 2 1/4 diesel 88" truck cab with galvinised chassis, roll cage, rock sliders, chunky tyres and lots of bent bits. I have got it to a stage pretty close to passing its MOT but I am a bit concerned about the noise from the gearbox. It sounds like metal on metal in 1st, 2nd & 3rd but not 4th. Is it going to mean a gearbox transfer and lots more work than I was prepared for and will it be worth it?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Probably been covered a lot of times before but I can't find out enough information before i decide whether to keep my series 3 or look for a defender.

I have recently jumped into series 3 ownership after buying a 1971 2 1/4 diesel 88" truck cab with galvinised chassis, roll cage, rock sliders, chunky tyres and lots of bent bits. I have got it to a stage pretty close to passing its MOT but I am a bit concerned about the noise from the gearbox. It sounds like metal on metal in 1st, 2nd & 3rd but not 4th. Is it going to mean a gearbox transfer and lots more work than I was prepared for and will it be worth it?

It sounds like the layshaft front bearing has gone sour, but as with all series gearboxes, once you open it up you will find a few more things that should be attended to, ie bronze distance sleeve for 2nd and 3rd gear, worn dog teeth on 1st and 2nd gears, baulk rings, broken 1st 2nd synchro hub etc etc.

Bill.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

with regard to keeping the series 111 it depends on the price you paid. i bought mine at a knockdown price fully in the knowledge that the gearbox was knackered. after some advice from this forum i decided to change the box, i got a 'pre owned' box from a local independant landrover garage for about £100 and changed it over myself. (the warrenty was if the replacement box had any probs i coudl exchange it for another one) all in all this has probably taken about 2 weeks of evenings after work and one day each weekend (weather permitting). it hasnt required loads of specialist tools, i got plenty of advice on bits i got stuck on from this forum and from the lro forum, but othersies followed the haynes manual. to tell you the truth it was actually a lot easier than a gearbox change i did on a transit horsebox a couple of years ago!!

so if you dont mind the work and have a a fairly good set of tools i would recommend that you get a second hand box and change it, if you dont fancy this just sell the whole vehicle but you may make a loss on it as any buyer will factor in the cost of changing the box themselves.

hope this helps

cheers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry to hi-jac the thread. but i have discovered that my S3 gear box in my lwt makes a metal on metal (similar to the scoring noise working metal on a lathe) when shifting down from 3rd to ( 2nd or 1st) the box has always been difficult to select 1st after moving at high speeds. this last couple of days ive found myself depressing the clutch further to prevent gear crunching moments.

i believe that the clutch might be slightly dragging. but i dont think it would substantiate this noise.

alternatively it might have just run out of oil :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry to hi-jac the thread. but i have discovered that my S3 gear box in my lwt makes a metal on metal (similar to the scoring noise working metal on a lathe) when shifting down from 3rd to ( 2nd or 1st) the box has always been difficult to select 1st after moving at high speeds. this last couple of days ive found myself depressing the clutch further to prevent gear crunching moments.

i believe that the clutch might be slightly dragging. but i dont think it would substantiate this noise.

alternatively it might have just run out of oil :D

Sounds a little bit like the 1st ,2nd synchro hub has broken the corners off the slots where the baulk ring thrust blocks slide. Very common on series 3's. Drain oil, check metallic contents in drain plug, post photo of contents if you can, I can usually identify the bits I am referring to.

Bill.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sounds a little bit like the 1st ,2nd synchro hub has broken the corners off the slots where the baulk ring thrust blocks slide. Very common on series 3's. Drain oil, check metallic contents in drain plug, post photo of contents if you can, I can usually identify the bits I am referring to.

Bill.

Sounds like a plan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Update:

Well i drained the oil out of the box... there where no chunkcs to report

But there was only about 1/4 L of oil. Automatically i checked the transfer to find it over filled on the plug...

its almost as if the oil has drained from the main box into the transfer.

I didnt think this was possible. but where i have been parking it on the weekends is on a very steep incline.

For a landrover box it is resonably Oil tight

Anyway after topping it up the noises where dramtically reduced, but still there. shifting down can still be carp at times

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Update:

Well i drained the oil out of the box... there where no chunkcs to report

But there was only about 1/4 L of oil. Automatically i checked the transfer to find it over filled on the plug...

its almost as if the oil has drained from the main box into the transfer.

I didnt think this was possible. but where i have been parking it on the weekends is on a very steep incline.

For a landrover box it is resonably Oil tight

Anyway after topping it up the noises where dramtically reduced, but still there. shifting down can still be carp at times

I'll have to try mine before any major work, pretty sure it has plenty in but not sure how old it is. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Update:

Well i drained the oil out of the box... there where no chunkcs to report

But there was only about 1/4 L of oil. Automatically i checked the transfer to find it over filled on the plug...

its almost as if the oil has drained from the main box into the transfer.

I didnt think this was possible. but where i have been parking it on the weekends is on a very steep incline.

For a landrover box it is resonably Oil tight

Anyway after topping it up the noises where dramtically reduced, but still there. shifting down can still be carp at times

It is VERY common for the oil in the series gearbox to migrate to the transfer box. There is a seal between the two boxes on the mainshaft which often fails in this way. Anyone with a series landrover would be wise to check levels regularly. You can go on for years without replacing the seal if you regularly check and adjust the levels.

Regards,

Diff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

It now wizzes out the bell housing after london to brighton :)

the problem i have, is that i have had gearboxes in and out of the beast about 5 times these last couple of years, and i really cant be bothered to do it again.

i know its not the spirit

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. By using our website you agree to our Cookie Policy