Okay I have been searching and look for some kind of answer to my problem. Trying to fine if anyone as had this problem?

My first Mini, got home after driving on the highway for 130 miles from the dealer, and it was making a grinding noise coming from the driver side. Only making the noise when the clutch is all the way out and driving. You can very faintly hear the noise at idle. I took out the transmission and the thrust bearing was almost gone, so I know that was making the noise.

So far I have put a new thrust bearing also replace the clutch just because I had it apart and the pressure plate was shoot. Got it all back together and it was back to making the same noise. Replace slave cylinder and got all the air out of the clutch and still making the noise. Really lost on what I could do next other then drop the transmission again.

 

Did you check the transmission input shaft bearing?

 

No I didn’t know to check it. How does it cause the problem? I guessing it still means taking the transmission out.

 

Here is a picture of the transmission.

 

Just curious how hard it was for you to get the trans out while the engine stayed in the car and what time frame you were talking to get it to this point. i have seen most folks yanke the whole subframe and drivetrain in one shot and then seperate.

 

Normally a rumbling sound like you describe results from a bad bearing that supports the input shaft. The noise comes from either the worn bearings as they rotate or a movement of the input shaft since the bearings no longer hold it firm.

Anytime a clutch job is done, the flywheel, clutch kit and input shaft should be inspected before reassembly in order to save having to re-drop the tranny.

I hope you are able to isolate and resolve the problem! Keep us posted...

 

Really wasn’t too hard, just a lot of parts to remove so you can take the trans out. Here is a link I used to help get the trans out. Pelican Parts has a lot of tools to help. Overall to get the trans out and back in took me about 14 hours.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/MINI/25-TRANS-Clutch_Replacement/25-TRANS-Clutch_Replacement.htm

 

Okay thank you I will drop the trans and take pictures of the bearing I really hope that is it. I looked at the flywheel but didn’t really see anything that looked bad but hard to tell.

 

Okay I got the trans out. How can I tell if the bearing is bad?

Here is a better pic of the trans.

 

Here is a Picture of the bearing.

 

Hello, I start my clutch replacement , today. I purchased a new guide tube.
I thought of replacing main transmission bearing. My clutch will not totally disengage, I can not go to reverse or fifth or sixth.

 

If you rotate the shaft and there is any play in it or any noises. Here's and example:

 

When rotating the shaft it feels solded and I think the noise I do hear is coming from the gears rotating but I will take a video of the shaft.

 

If I spend the time to do this job, I would replace main and axle bearings and seals.

 

I would like to but money is already tight trying to fix the trans, that’s why I’m doing all the work. So far we have put $800 and only got to drive the 300 miles. I would also like to replace all of the mounts they are starting to go.

 

Okay didn’t get a chance to make the video. But I called a friend who is a mechanic, he agrees it has to be the trans. So I ordered the rebuild kit for the trans. I really hope this will fix it. Thank you, MiniDeLux for your help.

 

No problem, I hope you get it sorted. Post an update after you put it back together and let us know if it's resolved!

 

If this is a ten year old mini. I would change the Transmission Shift Linkage.
I just had one pop.
see Pelican parts for instructions.

 

Yes it would be good but they are still really hard to pop off. So I think they will be fine. Would really like to get it back together and finaly get to drive it.

 

Yes, the local dealer want $1,700 labor only for a clutch job.
OEM parts woooo.
By the way, I have a brother in Techapie, ca.

 

Thats crazy your borther is about 1 hour from me.

Replacing the bearings has far has I can tell, would just be easier to rebuild the trans. I will hopefully get to find out how hard it is to rebuild the trans this weekend. Defiantly save money by avoiding the shops. The rebuild kit I bought off eBay comes with everything you need, and it’s ready to go right in. So they say.

 

There are 6 bearings in the transmission:

1) The input shaft has one at each end.
2) The output shaft has one at each end.
3) There are two bearings on the differential gear.

It seems the most commonly failed bearings are the input shaft bearing and the output shaft bearing that are nearest the engine. The other two are at the far-end of the case (under the stamped metal cover opposite the engine).

But as long as you're taking the transmission out and tearing it down, you might as well replace all the bearings. They are relatively inexpensive compared with the hassle of dropping the transmission.

In my case the output shaft bearing was "smeared" and made a lot of noise when not under load, like when coasting. In gear or not, the output shaft always turns when the wheels are turning.

Here's a link to the Rover R65 transmission rebuild manual. It's 99% the same as the one in the Mini:

http://www.rover-coupe.com/rcoc/inde...verhaul-manual

In my case it was item #28. But I also replaced the other output shaft bearing (#14) because you have to clamp the heck out of it to press it off the shaft. I didn't replace either of the input shaft bearings in mine as both looked perfect and spun smoothly.

Once you have it open be sure to replace any gears with broken teeth or wear and if any of the syncros are giving you trouble, replace them also.

For me the toughest part was getting the transmission out, but you seem to be an expert on that. ;-)

 

Yeah when I learned that the bearings had to be pressed on I found something that was a little easier. A complete rebuild kit the only thing you need is the trans housing. I order the kit Sunday night from the UK and it was here Tuesday morning. We missed the drop off so we got it Wednesday morning. After work I worked on getting the trans rebuilt. I only have a few bolts left and it will be ready to go back in.

 

Yes, I got my parts from the same guy in the UK. John Tee, he's a great resource. The full rebuild kit is a bargain but if all you need are a couple of bearings (as I did) the kit is overkill.

I didn't have a press either but they're only about $100 at Harbor Freight. Or a trip to a local machine shop and $25 would probably also do the trick.

 

See his web site here:

http://www.minitransmission.com/

Anything and everything Mini transmission-wise...