21 replies to this topic

[mike.]

Don't have them fitted so not those, good suggestion though.

[tiger99]

I hope I am wrong, but this is possibly a failing gearbox output bearing, which is dangerous because when it fails completely, the final drive pinion wedges tight into mesh with the gear and abruptly locks the drive completely. Guess how I know! Fortunately I was accelerating away from traffic lights at the time, and the wheels locked at maybe 10 mph, but at speed it could have been very bad.

In my case the bearing had been faulty from new, which looked like delibrate sabotage in the factory, as it involved a cut the width of an angle grinder disk in the bearing outer race. The dealer persistently denied that there was a problem when I complained about the tick, and an occasional strange whine on ocer-run. 4 years later, locked wheels and a well-chewed gearbox.

But I would say there is a 95% chance of it being CVs, so you are correct to do the easiest and cheapest things first.

[mike.]

Well hopefully its not that! If it were that, would it be only making the noise in reverse?

I'll change the CV's and we'll see

Edited by mike., 26 July 2012 - 06:46 AM.

[minivan69]

i've been having clicking dramas like these after recently overhauling my engine and gearbox (1098 with 3 syncro magic wand box).

Clicking only started about 3k miles after the rebuild. Thought it was the CV's too so replaced them and all other associated uni-joints/parts to no avail. Nothing is rubbing but the clicking can be felt through the gear change stick. thinking it's a box out job coming for me ;-{ only clicks in reverse and first and even when rolling forward with clutch in? Wheel angle makes not difference but there's no clicking when jacking up and running with no load.
Had it to several mini 'specialialists' and the local mini race meets with no useful ideas. Thinking that it could also be excessive play in the gearbox output...
urghhh...

[cal844]

if your changing CV joints, its better to remove them from the car and take them to a local garage, they know how to fit them correctly. also let them buy the parts... that way you have a comeback if the fault returns

[mike.]

CV joints are easy to change, theres no need to take them to a garage, there isn't even any special tools involved? And letting them sell you the parts just means they'll be making more money out of you than if you bought them yourself.

I should have updated this thread, but I replaced my 2 CV joints and it cured the problem.

Minivan69 - Sorry but i've got no idea what else your problem could be if you've already replaced the CV's

[minivan69]

thanks for the update. Yep, I've got nothing else left to check. The fact it only happens in 1st and reverse made me think it was the lay shaft moving too far and the teeth clashing but the clicking is more like drive shaft speed. Doesn't appear to be getting worse so i'll tough it out and just use 2nd and avoid reverse ;-\ well that's the plan i've been sticking too the last few months...