Checking A Gearbox

[steve-gers]

Just picked up a manual box for my auto>manual conversion and was wondering if there is any way to check it before I put it on the car. Gave the guy 50 quid for it and will give him another 50 if it's a good box but don't want to put it on if I can check it 1st. There is maybe 2mm of play on the input shaft (in and out) but none at all side to side, is this ok? Also the oil seals look visually ok, what else can I do to check it?

[yaristurbo]

Check it engages all gears rotate the main shaft by hand in all gears and make sure it doesnt lock up. Look for previous oil leaks.

Check where the linkages go on I had to weld mine up where it was starting to split

[steve-gers]

As in where the cables attach to it? Also how can I select the gears by hand?

[morgey]

Theres to levers one should clonk into place the other should feel springy and return to the center the one that clonks is the back and forth movement.

Without touching the springy one it will be 3rd and 4th push the springy one, one way and it will be 1st and 2nd and the other way 5th but it wont go into reverse until the other levers moved central and then back as theres a lock that stops you going feom 5th to reverse ;)

Edited November 24, 2012 by morgey

[steve-gers]

Feels fine in them all, even managed to get reverse (with some effort) and the input shaft spins fine in all gears. Is the amount of play mentioned above ok?

[morgey]

Im not sure, if i was at home i would check my other gearboxes but I'm not I'm afraid

[steve-gers]

Thanks anyway. Anyone else know how much shaft play in and out is normal/acceptable

[yaristurbo]

Sounds ok. Main shaft bearings aren't really a problem on c52 transmissions, syncros and 5th gear inner hub on mine, we would charge around 100 to strip and inspect so others mite be the same might be worth having it opened and checked

[steve-gers]

Nah i'll just stick it on and give it a try I have been assured that the box is good and turns fine in all gears by hand so will give it a bash. Thanks very much for your help.

[steve-gers]

Also forgot to say that there is only 1 lever on the box but it pushes in and out.

[morgey]

You Should have two levers like these boxes

Random pic from google

On the left box its clearer, Theres the bracket and the arm going into the rubber seal/boot ones for left and right and the others the back and forth movement of the gearstick this is where the two cables attach

Have you got them both? If not i can remove one of the ones on my other gear boxes for ya most likely

[steve-gers]

I have the one with the rubber boot but not the other one, god knows why it would of been taken off. How much you looking for it?

[morgey]

Wouldnt be much, enough to cover postage and a couple of quid, depends on how much postage is i guess

[steve-gers]

If you could get me a quote that would be great. I'm going to post some pictures of the box to see if anything else is missing

[steve-gers]

Picture 1

Picture 2

Picture 3

Picture 4

Picture 5

Picture 6

Picture 7

Picture 8

[steve-gers]

In picture number 1 the nut that stands out, kinda black in colour moves up and down and turns but doesn't tighten, what's that for?

[morgey]

The sort of cap thing on the top of the box, thats a breather i think. Similar thing to the rocker cover breather

[steve-gers]

Can you notice if anything else is missing from the box like drain plug of fill level check plug?

[morgey]

Both plugs are there mount brackets are there, u need the clutch release arm still slave cylinder and clutch pipes an a couple of brackets for that but they aren't a necessity. Erm other than that an earth strap might be different to your auto box?

[steve-gers]

Got a clutch fork and a release bearing on it's way. Slave cylinder and lines to master cylinder and in a box at the bottom of the stairs ready to fit. Is the earth strap not just a cable with a connector on the end that bolts to the mount?

[morgey]

Ok thats good n yea earth straps nothing special but u will need one thats all

[steve-gers]

I will make it work and if not I will find some cable and make a new one. Would a tenner cover the price of the selector arm and brackets needed?

[morgey]

Haha yea not hard at all n Yea mate definately