Thread: Series II (original) gearbox noise

G'day all,

I got a 1959 Series II 109" that I'm getting ready to register.

She can change gears however if the vehicle is moving when the clutch is depressed there is a clunk-clunk-clunk sound coming from the gearbox/transfer case area. If the vehicle is stationary no such sound occurs.

I have another Series II gearbox I just brought home that I can begin rebuilding, however if it is something "simple" that wouldn't require me to replace the gearbox then that would be much nicer

Originally Posted by Grizzly_Adams

Either way it sounds like I need to pull the gearbox down?

.........

JDNSW the handbrake doesn't feel like it's dragging as I would expect I'd feel something when the vehicle is driving, yes?

You won't necessarily have to pull the gearbox down - work out what the noise is first.

You will not necessarily feel the handbrake dragging - it takes very little friction to give this effect. It could also be a loose universal or universal flange on the rear prop shaft (assuming it is in two wheel drive, make sure it is!). I suggest it would be worth jacking up a rear wheel (chock the front wheels) and if you spin it (handbrake off, try with gearbox in neutral and with clutch propped out but in gear) you will be turning the same bits that are turning when you get the noise. If you can duplicate the noise you should be able to track it down. You could consider "driving it" with both rear wheels on stands and the front wheels chocked as well.

I assume you have checked that there is oil in the gearbox and transfer case?

If you check for the noise with the vehicle stationary but transfer case in neutral, and it does not occur, this means it is not in the main gearbox, and there is a good chance it is not in the transfer case either. Thinking about it, I suspect a universal (maybe seized not loose!) or possibly a loose universal flange, perhaps together with a dragging handbrake.

John