Gearbox has died advice on a replacement or reco

[matpoli]

Hi guys, my gearbox in my Series 2 started making a bit more noise than I was used to so the old man and his mechanic mates went for a drive and determined that the bearings are stuffed. Apparently the bearings are worn and now the gears are rubbing together and not meshing correctly and that is what is causing the noise so I believe that some repair work is in order.

I was thinking that I should get the gearbox reconditioned rather than just chucking another second hand one in as I don't know how much time I would get out of a second hand one. Has anyone reconditioned one of these gearboxes and do they have an estimate of the costs involved?

One of the mechanics also suggested that I just replace the gearbox with one out of a hilux, has anyone done this before and if so is there a particular year that I should stick to and what are the + and - of this course of action?

I am leaning towards doing a recon because I want to keep the car original and preserve the ratios that I think work so well. However I can't help thinking that the hilux may be a 5 speed box and how much better it would be for highway driving etc.

Any comments and or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks guys.

[Blknight.aus]

once its out it takes a day and will cost you around $600 in bearings seals shafts gears and syncros.

[jakeslouw]

The Hilux 5-spd box would do the job. There should be an adapter for the series bolt pattern as this was a popular mod.

[JayBoRover]

Hiya "matpoli".
I had a catastrophic gearbox failure in my S2a a while ago. I had never done a gearbox before but pulled it out and apart to see what it was like:confused:. It's really basic:).

I bought a "donor" S2a for $400, pulled its gearbox out and apart and swapped the bits I needed. Put my one back together and it's been good. I've driven it around a fair bit and it still feels great. Mine was a broken shaft, so a bit different to failed bearings, but I don't believe it would be any more difficult to rebuild. It did take me a lot longer than a day though, so if you need the car on the road might pay to take it somewhere.

Getting the gearbox out was a hassle, with having to get the seat-box, floor panels and gearbox cowl out with all little nuts and bolts, plus getting the driveshafts off. None of this is difficult, just time consuming and a bit tedious. The extra "toys" I bought through the process included the engine hoist (was worth its weight in gold in manoeuvring the gearbox out through the passengers door) and the trolley thing for lying under the car and wheeling about (for disconnecting the driveshafts and for getting at the bolts that rusted in for the floor plates).

Good luck - and keep us informed as you go if you do it yourself. Plenty of friendly advice and possibly help on here.:cool:

[matpoli]

once its out it takes a day and will cost you around $600 in bearings seals shafts gears and syncros.

Blknight - Do rovacraft or anyone sell a complete kit or will i have to take every part in and have them match it up and replace it?

Thanks for the advice JayBoRover nd jakeslou more opinions would also be welcome but maybe it's too late in the east?

[Blknight.aus]

they do, you just need the number and suffix off of the box.

I'll be over at xmas time if you need a hand.

[JayBoRover]

There's a guy that advertises regularly in the Quokka with S2a gearbox parts. He's up in Stoneville. I've bought a few bits off him. He's a great guy and very helpful. Well worth a call and visit. Make sure you have plenty of time for a chat if you visit as he is a wealth of info and has no problems sharing his passion for Landy's;).

[dandlandyman]

Just as a temporary attempt to quieten it down a bit, try turning the tansfer case idler shaft around 180 degrees. It's the most common (and loudest) noise source in a Series box.

Dan.
69 2A 88" pet4 (still in disguise), 68 2B FC pet6 (still resting quietly for sale), plus 13 other pipe-dream-projects/parts-cars (1xS2, 5xS2As, 7xS3s).