[pdubyab]

I originally posted about this problem about a month ago - see thread @#&*!! gearbox!!!!!!! originated by MADMINIMANIAC 29th March - I've got a heavy vibration felt through the gearlever in 3rd gear (and to lesser extent in 2nd gear) under load conditions. Jon E had similar problems and had had a replacement 'box (is this still ok Jon E?).

My dealer has given me a long, logical explanation of why the vibration is present - all about meshing of dog teeth and manufacturing variations and how different 'boxes will have different characteristics, some vibrating under load and others vibrating on the overrun. Fact is, however, that all the others I've driven, except one (same dealer's courtesy car - occasional vibration on overrun but nowhere near as severe as mine), have had no excessive vibration whatsoever.

In fairness, my dealer has been great about getting to the bottom of this problem and accepts I have reason to be unsatisfied with my car. In short, I have been given two options: A brand new gearbox, or; a gearbox taken from the dealer's demonstrator (which I have driven and seems perfect). My inclination is to go for the brand new 'box for obvious reasons.

Has anybody else experienced the gear vibration I've described and, if so, what has been done about it, and did it work?

[Dom]

The only vibration I get is when using the engine as a brake and holding the stick in 3rd. If I just let it rest in third (instead of resting my hand on it), it seems fine, but when i'm leaning on it it does make my watch rattle. I just left it as a characteristic of the car as it doesn't bother me too much - is obviously not as apparent as yours!

Dom

[pdubyab]

Thanks for the reply, Dom. Sounds like yours is normal, I would expect there to be some vibration under engine braking (what I called "overrun"). Mine's a real heavy, coarse vibration as I accelerate in 3rd, which only reduces after about 5,000 rpm.

I'm probably going to accept my dealer's offer to replace the gearbox. They were going to replace the clutch anyway, due to a separate problem (which is another story!). So, in theory, a complete new clutch & gearbox assembly should eliminate any possible cause of the vibration ...I hope!

I had considered rejecting the car but the hassle and wait for a replacement Cooper (September) doesn't seem worth it, particularly as there's no guarantee the new one wouldn't have other "teething problems" to then overcome. Another 1300 miles of running-in doesn't appeal, either!!

Just want to get on and drive the brilliant, damn thing!

[orie's_mini]

i have noticed that gear vibration in my Feb2002 Cooper to be more pronounced than in previous cars I had, eg. VW but i felt it wasn't very severe.

yesterday, my gearbox broke down (i could only shift loosely the gear stick 3rd and 4th) and and i was unable to disengage myself from my reverse gear and i had to depress the clutch and have a friend push the car to the side. Mini breakdown service is excellent arrived within 20mins and the guy explained that the ring and nut (please excuse my bad explanation) had dislodged due to usage and said it was the second Mini. The other Mini had his entire transmission system replaced.

anyone had a similar experience or could possibly shed some light on this

[ad087]

I know that the Mini cooper Works being run by the EVO magazine team has had it's gearbox replaced in under 10k after the first and second gears started to give way. One thing i have noticed on my one is that first and second can be a little reluctant to engage when cold. and sometimes if i'm in neutral i need to let the clutch out and back in again to select reverse or first at a stand still.

[pdubyab]

Quote:

Originally posted by orie's_mini
..... the guy explained that the ring and nut (please excuse my bad explanation) had dislodged due to usage and said it was the second Mini. The other Mini had his entire transmission system replaced......

Do you know which "ring and nut" had become dislodged? Was this internal to the gearbox or part of the gearchange mechanism between the gearstick and the gearbox?

Was he able to fix it at the roadside or was it a workshop job? If it's fixed now, how's the vibration - better??

[Dshelton]

I seem to be havin probs with Reverse gear too! I have tried puttin the clutch in and out or changin fast or slow but it will either engage or will make a god awful crunch. Has anyone else had this or is it something about the car?

[orie's_mini]

Quote:

Originally posted by pdubyab


Do you know which "ring and nut" had become dislodged? Was this internal to the gearbox or part of the gearchange mechanism between the gearstick and the gearbox?

Was he able to fix it at the roadside or was it a workshop job? If it's fixed now, how's the vibration - better??

no, it was not internal so i guess it is "the mechanism between gearstick and gearbox" coz he fixed it on the street with a spanner and hammer i believe, less than 15mins and yes the vibration is better! i noticed that driving at lunch. Doesn't make me feel better though. He said I have to sent it to the garage for a replacement.

[orie's_mini]

Quote:

Originally posted by ad087
One thing i have noticed on my one is that first and second can be a little reluctant to engage when cold. and sometimes if i'm in neutral i need to let the clutch out and back in again to select reverse or first at a stand still.

happens to my first too

Quote:

Originally posted by Dshelton
I seem to be havin probs with Reverse gear too! I have tried puttin the clutch in and out or changin fast or slow but it will either engage or will make a god awful crunch.

I had this problem too with my reverse

...... since I had my MINI but thought that it was the running in period

[Dom]

Quote:

Originally posted by Dshelton
I seem to be havin probs with Reverse gear too! I have tried puttin the clutch in and out or changin fast or slow but it will either engage or will make a god awful crunch. Has anyone else had this or is it something about the car?

This seems to be a problem on most 5-speed FWD cars (especially my old Saxo!!!)... it's not so apparent on my MINI though so consider taking it to your dealer to have a gander at.

Anyway, try putting it in first before reverse as it's probably something to do with the synchro-mesh. Also, try bringing the clutch up in neutral before engaging reverse...

Just old tricks from me saxo!

Dom

[pdubyab]

As it happens, I think the MINI 5-speed 'box is a derivation of the same PSA unit from the Saxo/106, albeit thoroughly re-worked (I assume!).

No doubt one of our more technically knowledgeable types in the know on the forum can confirm?

Perhaps this can explain some of the apparent similarities.

[pdubyab]

Forgot to mention in previous post - my replacement clutch and gearbox are due to be fitted next Wednesday, 8th May.

Apparently, the replacement 'box was in stock in Bracknell, which is a bit different from EVO mag's experience when they had to wait 3 weeks for a 'box to come from Germany.

I'll post a further update when I get it back, hopefully totally cured.

[Rob.]

I can't remember who posted it, but the gearbox is NOT made by or derived from any piece of french c**p. It is developed by a BMW gearbox plant somewhere is England.
I should have searched for the thread that mentioned it, but I can't be arsed. Hope your new unit is alot better than the last one.
An article in Auto Express today talks about someones Cooper gearbox failing after 1000 miles. They got a replacement car. In the Consumer advice section.
Good Luck.

[oh el]

I'm a driving instructor and since owning the mini the gripe has been getting the car into reverse gear. I took it into the dealership and the senior service engineer said it was an idiotscioncocy. When I said the only idiot was me he was not too happy. Anyway, my husband called mini uk and they said the BMW rep would look at it. In the meantime the air bag light came on and the cassete chewed my tape, one window protruded and prevented the door from closing and the other window would not close properly with the door closed. Also, whe stalled, the engine would not start. But then, on going to a lesson, the engine temperature showed overheating. The car had to be transported to the dealer and an electrical fault was traced which also had caused the non-starting problem. The BMW rep looked at the car and it is now going back to get the clutch fluid drained to attempt to fix the reverse fault.

[Jon E]

I've been a bit slack in checking the site so I'm a bit late in joining the discussion.

My 'new' gearbox still has troubles yes. The problem with getting into reverse, and also it sometimes crunches when chaning into 2nd, from either 1st or 3rd. The vibrations aren't as bad as they were but theyt are still there.

The vibrations werwe the reason my gearbox was replaced in the first place.

HTH

Jon

[rablock]

I sometimes get audible vibration from the gearbox in 3rd, usually at about 2800 rpm. Is this a common problem?

[ad087]

Been a while since i have logged in - since my last post - i had my gearbox replaced under warranty - the main bearing failed apparently....happens alot on the older ones according to my garage. how old is urs radblock?

i noticed a buzzing noise when mine went but it could be any number of things as well radblock - my best advice is take it into ur garage and get them to raod test it with u - they knew the prob with mine in 5 mins on the road.

[Macsport]

ad087

What is the build date of your car?

My ONE had a new box fitted earlier this month. In another thread M2 mentioned his dealer had said that there was a batch of dodgy boxes and I am trying to get a handle on this by compiling a list of forum members cars build dates that have ahd gearbox's changed.

[ad087]

Bulid plate under the bonnet in mine says Aug 01. Quite sad that i can tell that without even looking at it!

[pdubyab]

My Cooper is Nov. '01 build. Gearbox replaced May '02. New gearbox has same vibration in 3rd gear. See my earlier posts in this thread for more detail.