Follow up on Transmission noise...

Thanks everyone for all your help...just did another test drive after reading all the replies and the noise is definitely coming from just below the gear shift knob.
The gears seem to be working fine and shifting w/out any problems but the noise IS coming from that area directly under the gear shifter...

no apparent twigs/or foreign matter externally ( that I can see_)

Could this still be universal joints or clutch problem? Noise does not go away when I push the clutch in while driving Noise only stops upon car coming to standstill
Now I'm really baffled.

Any thoughts????

Thanks again,

Terry

If coasting to a stop in neutral still produces the sound then I would suggest a transmission output bearing may have gone south on you.
Just a possibility. Could also be the layshaft.

Bob

I didn't catch the exact description of the noise.

If it is a "bearing noise" then see my suggestion below. On the other hand it might be a good idea to drop the drive-shaft and carefully inspect the front, actually both, of the universal joints. If the "noise" is accompanied by a distinct vibration commensurate with road speed, it could very well be a joint failing and they are a thousand times easier to deal with than the transmission innards.

Probably is an output shaft bearing but before you rip the transmission out and down, pull the cross member and clean all of the gunk and rocks ands stuff out of the channel. Then replace the two mounts and make sure that the other smaller bushings are in good shape or replace them at the same time. Doing this is a PITA, especially with a car equipped with OD, but it just might be the problem.

BTW: Output shaft bearing failures are certainly possible but very unusual.

Jack

Terry, does it make the noise while in neutral @ idle , with the clutch depressed? While sitting still.

Try jacking the rear of the car up and running the car through the gears and listen for noises. The problem with this is it may only show up under load but it may give you an idea.

Hi Gary:

Thanks for your reply...Yes the car noise IS evident when the clutch is pushed in at idle standing..It is the same sound only not as loud it seems as when I'm moving along ...as soon as I release the clutch (in neutral), the noise stops....very odd


What do you think?

Thanks Jack..you are always an amazing wealth of knowledge....I just tested again and now hear the noise a bit when I depress the clutch pedal...noise more agrivated when moving but when I release clutch (at least at idle in Neutral) the sound goes away...very odd indeed????

Thoughts????

Thanks so much to all who like to help fellow MG addicts like me!

cheers

Terry

if noise stops with clutch engaged (input shaft being driven) but resumes with clutch disengaged, I'd suspect throwout bearing.

if it were a bearing in the box, the reverse would be more likely. (no noise with clutch pedal depressed)

mac townsend Wrote:

yes chaps, the noise is still there when I put my foot on the clutch pedal all the way down..stops when I let go ( I'm now in neutral at idle)..However when I move the car at any speed the sound comes back..best way I can describe is a gentle but very worrying "grinding" noise

cheers

Terry

What do you think Mac? Input shaft bearing?

Oh No..this sounds painful////does this mean I have to go into the clutch..drop engine..the whole bit???? sounds terribly painful and possibly expensive..YIKES!!!!!

Id say more than likely Terry, however follow Gary E advice and get the car in the air and run it though the gears, and listen everywhere to try and pinpoint the noise.

This is way beyond my limited knowledge, but I've had shift lever noises before, and it always turned out to be nothing major. That's not to say I have a clue what your problem is. I do know there is a shift lever locating pin or bolt somewhere at the top of the tranny and a few other adjustments, bolts, or springs which sometimes come loose. I've had other people fix the problem, so I don't know, but it was pretty simple stuff, according to them. There's always the possibility you've got a problem like this if it's just a kind of vibrating noise at the bottom of the shift lever. My MGB guy (I'm in Pasadena) is Frank Monise Motors. You might run it by him if you can't diagnose it yourself. He's up on Walnut east of Hill on the north side and does A+ work and doesn't charge a whole lot. If he does say it's a major fix, you can trust that it is.

Hate to say this but it sounds like there may be two snags. Throwout bearing and a gearbox bearing, most likely output.

Noise present when clutch is depressed but goes away when clutch is engaged, throwout bearing.

Noise present when moving, clutch engaged, gearbox bearing.

None of these things are actually expensive. Just troublesome and time consuming. Hopefully you have the will and aptitude to tackle these things yourself.

Bob

Hi Drew... Thanks so much for the tip...I think I'll run the car by Frank's place for a good once over....

appreciate the tip as I'm in Pasadena too.

Cheers

Terry

Bob, Gary, Gary E, Mac et al....

thanks for all your help today!

Terry