Pro-longing Gearbox Life

[burns863]

As manty of you know from this thread (http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...rbox-help.html) I have had recent gearbox troubles. My 02 MINI is now on its 3rd Midland box after only 77k and I am now loosing confidence with it.

So.. Iv decided to post to see if anyone can give me any advice on prolonging the life of my / any gearbox. I have heard many things like how its hard on the gearbox to change from 4th down to second to engine break, it puts strain on the box to accelerate into the higher rev range in 1st gear and how changing gear fast is hard on the box. Is any of this true? And what else would put the gearbox under more strain?

I know that changing the transmission oil would help a lot, even though MINI state that the oil in there will last a lifetime. But I guess this is a lengthy job and involves stripping the car down? Which if true is not really possible as I am not mechanic hehe.

Give me electronics and Im happy as larry, but when it comes to mechanics I have no clue I basically want to be as "good" to my new (well... reconditioned) gearbox as I can to prevent this one going out with a bang

Any help appreciated!

Daniel

[Ant FR]

Yeah, change to the Getrag box, seems mad you are on your third Midland box as they are known problem. pop on the 6 speeder form an S, that would help your fuel economy too.

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ant FR (original)

Yeah, change to the Getrag box, seems mad you are on your third Midland box as they are known problem. pop on the 6 speeder form an S, that would help your fuel economy too.

Think my first post might have been mis understood. I have already changed to the midland box, I got the car back last night I couldnt afford to have the getrag as there is a lot more work to be done to have it and it was just too much

I am looking for help and advice for looking after my newly fitted Midland box

[northandy]

Quote: Originally Posted by burns863 (original)

As manty of you know from this thread (http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fi...rbox-help.html) I have had recent gearbox troubles. My 02 MINI is now on its 3rd Midland box after only 77k and I am now loosing confidence with it.

So.. Iv decided to post to see if anyone can give me any advice on prolonging the life of my / any gearbox. I have heard many things like how its hard on the gearbox to change from 4th down to second to engine break, it puts strain on the box to accelerate into the higher rev range in 1st gear and how changing gear fast is hard on the box. Is any of this true? And what else would put the gearbox under more strain?

I know that changing the transmission oil would help a lot, even though MINI state that the oil in there will last a lifetime. But I guess this is a lengthy job and involves stripping the car down? Which if true is not really possible as I am not mechanic hehe.

Give me electronics and Im happy as larry, but when it comes to mechanics I have no clue I basically want to be as "good" to my new (well... reconditioned) gearbox as I can to prevent this one going out with a bang

Any help appreciated!

Daniel

Dan I dont know the ins and outs of the box but theres a lot to be said for driving with mechanical sympathy....

so waiting till the engine and gearbox are fully warmed up before thrashing them... similar can be said for cooling down, so spend the last couple of miles of a journey taking it steady letting the engine temp come down a little before stopping....

standing starts from the traffic lights will put some stress on it, try and keep them to a minimum... quick changes are ok providing you have the clutch fully depressed etc... another thing is not resting your hand on the gear lever when cruising along, this can cause wear to the gear selectors... also dont (however lightly) rest your foot on the clutch when criusing...

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by northandy (original)

Dan I dont know the ins and outs of the box but theres a lot to be said for driving with mechanical sympathy....

so waiting till the engine and gearbox are fully warmed up before thrashing them... similar can be said for cooling down, so spend the last couple of miles of a journey taking it steady letting the engine temp come down a little before stopping....

standing starts from the traffic lights will put some stress on it, try and keep them to a minimum... quick changes are ok providing you have the clutch fully depressed etc... another thing is not resting your hand on the gear lever when cruising along, this can cause wear to the gear selectors... also dont (however lightly) rest your foot on the clutch when criusing...

You know what, I was trying to think yesterday of anything I may do that could cause excessive wear and quite often I rest my foot on the clutch. Only very lightly and it doesnt seem to maker any difference but I will stop this now. Didnt think it would make a difference if it was really light? Oh and I often rest my hand on the gearstick too

Once the engine and gearbox are warmed up, does hard acceleration in lower gears put stress on the box? I was always under the impression that once in gear, any hard acceleration would affect the engine if anything? And not just the box?

[northandy]

Quote: Originally Posted by burns863 (original)

You know what, I was trying to think yesterday of anything I may do that could cause excessive wear and quite often I rest my foot on the clutch. Only very lightly and it doesnt seem to maker any difference but I will stop this now. Didnt think it would make a difference if it was really light? Oh and I often rest my hand on the gearstick too

Once the engine and gearbox are warmed up, does hard acceleration in lower gears put stress on the box? I was always under the impression that once in gear, any hard acceleration would affect the engine if anything? And not just the box?

Tbh my dad goes through a clutch a year in his rover 400 as he cant move his foot off the clutch easily, even light pressure can cause wear.... although it tends to manifest in the clutch rather than the gearbox...

no problem with hard acceleration though

[Richard Crofts]

Change the oil regular, its a vain attempt in the midland, but it can't do bad things!

[KATENKEITH]

I cant tell you how to preserve the gear box , but I can tell you how to break them.

I`ve had at least 8 in my `02 Cooper since I bought it in 2004 and I`ve only done 7000miles in it since then!!!!!!!!!

[Gristy]

Whats the warning signs that it is going to go? - have got an 03 MC with just under 50,000 miles and warantee is expiring in mid November

Do you notice the gears getting more nothcy/dificult to engage?

Or does it go with a large bang and then this is followed by faint whimpers in the inside as you realise that it is going to cost you?

[ScottyBoy]

When mine went in my cooper it just felt as the clutch was going and then all of a sudden i just couldnt move the car! all in a space of 5 mins..... It was the Diff that had seperated from the crown wheel, warrenty would not pay out even tho i had my own independant inspectaor say it was a mechanical failure not wear and tear.

[KATENKEITH]

Mine were always difficulty in engaging gears, usually 2nd . Or you think its in gear and it jumps out , so theres usually a bit of warning

[burns863]

Quote: Originally Posted by KATENKEITH (original)

I cant tell you how to preserve the gear box , but I can tell you how to break them.

I`ve had at least 8 in my `02 Cooper since I bought it in 2004 and I`ve only done 7000miles in it since then!!!!!!!!!

8?!?! I thought I was bad. Mine has had 4 now. Its done 83k though (02 plate).

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts (original)

Change the oil regular, its a vain attempt in the midland, but it can't do bad things!

I will be changing mine soon

If its a help to ayone here is a full guide... http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/foru...read.php?t=474

Quote: Originally Posted by Gristie (original)

Whats the warning signs that it is going to go? - have got an 03 MC with just under 50,000 miles and warantee is expiring in mid November

Do you notice the gears getting more nothcy/dificult to engage?

Or does it go with a large bang and then this is followed by faint whimpers in the inside as you realise that it is going to cost you?

Unfortunately mine just went bang. It was after about 45mins of my usual 50 mile journey home from work. Came off the M60 to take the M67. Top of the slip roads... lights were on red, they changed to green and as soon as my cluth bit, it just blew

Then... I had it replaced and after 2500 miles it started to crunch when diengaging 1st gear. So I had it replaced under the years warranty that the garage gave me on the reconditioned box i had just had put in.

Now... I am soooo gentle with it. I rev match when down shifting and am just generally over sensitive with it. Im looking at changing the car for a newer model a.s.a.p but until then I drive in fear of it going again!