- Joined
- Nov 15, 2014
- Messages
- 57
- Points
- 19
So I posted a few weeks ago about my gearbox making a grating noise and suspected it was the input shaft bearing. This is my journey as a DIY mechanic trying to keep multipla going.
I followed the usual guides on here and to echo some suggestions if you are going to attempt this, by an engine support beam from eBay for £45. It's worth it's weight in gold. Secondly, drop the subframe entirely. It is only 8 bolts (6 subframe bolts, 2 to the steering rack) in addition to the 2 the lower engine mount, the two ball joints and ARB droplinks which you are undoing anyway. Removal of the subframe gives much improved access to the starter motor which I found relatively easy as a result.
With the subframe off you can clean and repair any damage, replace the ARB bushes and paint it. You'll see from my pictures that my subframe wouldn't have passed another MOT otherwise.
I also removed the bumper which allowed me to remove the intercooler. This made removal of the gearbox very simple. I reckon the extra hour taken to remove the extra pieces saved me many hours and frustration trying to squeeze the box out and back in again.
One of the hardest jobs was aligning the input shaft with the clutch plate. I used a draper tool which worked fine but still the gearbox didn't want to seat properly. In the end I got it close by eye then used the longer subframe bolts to get it aligned before giving it a wiggle and pushing it home.
I did this over a number of weekends and in total probably spent over 20 hours on the job. If I had a ramp, this would have halved the time at least. Hell, if I even had a paved driveway it would have helped considerably. Also a second pair of hands would really have made a difference.
Anyway, it's all done now, and if anything I've now got the skills to be able to wallpaper my halfway through my letterbox!
I followed the usual guides on here and to echo some suggestions if you are going to attempt this, by an engine support beam from eBay for £45. It's worth it's weight in gold. Secondly, drop the subframe entirely. It is only 8 bolts (6 subframe bolts, 2 to the steering rack) in addition to the 2 the lower engine mount, the two ball joints and ARB droplinks which you are undoing anyway. Removal of the subframe gives much improved access to the starter motor which I found relatively easy as a result.
With the subframe off you can clean and repair any damage, replace the ARB bushes and paint it. You'll see from my pictures that my subframe wouldn't have passed another MOT otherwise.
I also removed the bumper which allowed me to remove the intercooler. This made removal of the gearbox very simple. I reckon the extra hour taken to remove the extra pieces saved me many hours and frustration trying to squeeze the box out and back in again.
One of the hardest jobs was aligning the input shaft with the clutch plate. I used a draper tool which worked fine but still the gearbox didn't want to seat properly. In the end I got it close by eye then used the longer subframe bolts to get it aligned before giving it a wiggle and pushing it home.
I did this over a number of weekends and in total probably spent over 20 hours on the job. If I had a ramp, this would have halved the time at least. Hell, if I even had a paved driveway it would have helped considerably. Also a second pair of hands would really have made a difference.
Anyway, it's all done now, and if anything I've now got the skills to be able to wallpaper my halfway through my letterbox!
