A week and a half ago I went to leave work and got a weird grinding noise. I pulled over and when I went to pull away again a loud grind and then it wouldn't move.
I had it towed home hoping that the clutch had just blew apart. I tore into it right away and as soon as I pulled the trans, I could see that the clutch was completely intact. That leaves something in the trans..ugh.

I tore into the trans and didn't find anything right off except so much fine metal particles that the oil looked like metallic paint. When I got it completely torn down, it was then that I discovered the issue. Midlands in their infinite wisdom utilized a interference fit ring gear that spun. Now begins the real odyssey.

I call a salvage yard that says they have one in one of their other yards 50 miles away and will ship it in. It comes in, I pay and then I see it and it's a Getrag 6 speed. While I would love to swap, I do not have the other pieces and parts to swap. They tell me that they do not have any others available either.
They get me a quote from an unaffiliated yard for $1800!

I started searching for parts and found a guy from New York that had the parts. New differential, good used 2nd gear slider and synchro for $330, good deal.

Two days of cleaning, replacing and reassembling and I am ready to reinstall. Not super difficult but you have to keep everything clean and take lots of pictures. If anyone wants the fellow's phone number that sold me the parts, let me know. The pictures are in reverse order.

BTW: if you pull the trans, do yourself a huge favor and drop the suspension crossmember first. I looked at the engine compartment after I got it in service mode and thought that there was plenty of room. WRONG! I barely got it out and there was no way it was going back in that way. With the engine on stands it made it so much more difficult to get the suspension down safely. Is it a huge pain in the butt but will save you the trouble on the back end.

 

Fantastic. So, you'll be down to the Springs to show off your success come October?

 

This is awesome!
Great post mate!

 

I will be there! I have MITO X to run

 

Tipping my hat to you sir. My midlands failure sounds similar to your experience -except no grinding noises. Came off the clutch at a light, heard a pop and the car wouldn't move. I've been putting off cracking my old one open for sometime now. I really need to get on it. Your thread is my motivation.

 

So glad to be an inspiration. If you have a big flat bench to lay it out, it really isn't all that bad of a job. A split collar bearing puller and a press is a must though.
I did not update after I finished the job: My trans shifts better now than when I bought it.

 

Very nice, well done.

There was another trans rebuild thread here also.