Mk1 gearbox

[pippadee]

My mk1 camper gearbox is making a horrible noise. It started after having uj's replaced and after a drive found the end of the extension box was really hot. Help what do we need, where can we get it or does someone have a spare gearbox we could buy!! due to go on holiday in it at end of June so urgent!!

[FredTransit]

You just answered my question over in welcome. I assume the gearbox is a four speed. I think it would be difficult to find for a Mk1, but have you considered converting to 5 speed? Better mpg (due to keeping the revs down) and less engine wear.

[madmark]

piperdee ,is there any oil in the gearbox?????normally what would cause it to make a noise if its out of oil!

[pippadee]

Have considered the change to 5 speed but again its getting hold of one asap. Haven't checked the oil in the gearbox but as the end of the extension box had a coating of it guessing that there is/was.

[madmark]

there is a good chance it need oil, if its noisey in 3rd gear ,top it up and it should last thruogh your holiday ,they are normally strong boxes! are you running a 2ltr v4?????

[pippadee]

No, its the 1.7 v4 and the box is noisy all the time. Sounds like someone is strangling a chicken underneath. Surely oil would not cause the end of the extension housing to get hot but not any other part? It also appears to be chucking the oil out as we travel and don't want to take gallons with us lol.

[merlyn]

DONT PANIC!! The heat could be the main drive bearing or rear bearing but first check oil holes and joining plates as the heat could just be you losing oil from someone elses crap rebuild. however even if the bearings are gone this is not a worry just check out bearing manufacturers on the web (someones bound to have some) and fix it yourself, remember this gearbox is 30 year old technology, simple, obvious and easy. if you get stuck ask we could all learn from the experience

[pippadee]

Thanks for all your help, took gearbox extension and prop to a freind of ours who restores classic f1 cars today. Having looked at extension decided it only needed a new oil seal, then looked at prop and found that the new uj we had fitted a couple of months ago was made wrong. It was actually off centre by about 3 or 4 mm. Hoping to have it back all repaired by wednesday, so look out Isle of Wight here we come!!

[FredTransit]

Glad you are going to be back on the raod, it's amazing that a little thing like an off centre UJ could cause so much trouble!