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MG MGA - Transmission Question part II

About 4-6 weeks ago I had a transmission/drive shaft question. When I accelerate I can hear a metal on metal "ting" that sound like something is hitting the frame of the car. The sound only occurs when I accelerate aggressively!! Of course there is no evidence of that happening.

I was given two explanations: 1) bad universal joints or 2) broken gear tooth.

I have continued to drive the car and it has occurred to me to ask: If I disconnect the drive shaft and put the car in gear will the "ting" sound still occur if there is a missing gear tooth? If I can expect to hear the same noise then my problem is with the universal joint(s) and not the gears.

Am I thinking about this the correct way or is it more complex?
gerard hutchinson

Gerard

Are you sure it's from the gearbox? It is quite common to get a tinging from the starter motor bendix above about 2500rpm. I recall it is a washer inside the bendix that is the cause of the problem.

Steve
Steve Gyles

hmmmm.... Steve that is a very good question. And, no I am not sure. Is there a way to determine if it is coming from the starter?
gerard hutchinson

I found out by error a number of years ago. Like you I had a tinkling I could not trace, then one day I accidentally pulled the starter while the engine was running and heard the tinkle amongst all the other gnashing of teeth. A number of others on this forum have suffered the tinkling starter, so it is quite common.

Mine started making the noise at about 2500 upwards. It must be either a vibration level or perhaps airflow disturbance from the flywheel.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I don't think a broken tooth will sound like a tinging, being submerged in oil. Especially in top gear with no load on the layshaft gears.
Art Pearse

Are the noises constant or solitary?

FRM
FR Millmore

FR Millmore - They are solitary.
gerard hutchinson

Gerard-
Solitary are generally things that only move once as you reverse loading, and then only if you do it quickly. Seized U joints can do it. If the car has the flanged gearbox/propshaft connection (late 1500 on as stock, but...), the nut on the end of the third motion shaft comes loose and that makes the same noise. (all the bits in the gearbox move endwise). Or if the sliding spline joint on the flanged propshaft is not lubed or worn. Possible that a loose rear pinion nut would do it too, but rear axle gear noise usually comes first.

Bottom line is unbolt the propshaft and check all this. Early 1500 will not have the loose nut problem or the worn slip joint problem. Bad u joints cannot necessarily be found without removing the shaft, but it will be obvious once out.

FRM
FR Millmore

This thread was discussed between 23/06/2012 and 25/06/2012

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