1st Gen R50 Cooper Most liked posts in thread: R50 trans swap impressions

  1. daviday

    daviday Active Member

    Jan 15, 2014
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    Hopefully have it apart this week...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    They weren't kidding when they said hand built.
     
  2. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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    Wait. An Chinese-made replacement axle at about 1/3 the price of a new OEM one isn't very good?

    Shocked, I am.
     
  3. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

    Mar 12, 2012
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    If you're up for all that work swapping the gearbox to a Getrag then you might think first to split the box to see what's broken. Could a simple bearing swap. The Midlands box is so simple to pull apart and repair. You just need to buy/borrow a Harbor frieght 14 piece gear puller set.

    How do you know the clutch is good? new ones break too! but with no drive I would think the crown wheel is slipping on the diff. If so I have a good diff and pinion I don't need.
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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  5. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    if you do rebuild I can help you. Just PM me your email then I can send a repair manual, photos etc. Problem is I can't bring the diff and pinion back until May 12

    Anyway if you're like me I want to know what broke!
     
  6. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

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    No it isn't (and that's part of the appeal).
     
  7. daviday

    daviday Active Member

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    Of course not....That would mean things were going according to plan.
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    Only trained Rally Monkey crew are authorized to crack open a Midlands. :)
     
  9. daviday

    daviday Active Member

    Jan 15, 2014
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    So I never got around to opening up the midlands that this thread is referring to. I actually sent it off to Jon Waterhouse in upstate NY. Great guy to deal with and for anyone in need of replacing their midlands, this is another great contact.

    Unfortunately and ironically, not but 5 days after I sent off my old box, I downshifted into second to slow for a red light, as the light turned green, I got on the throttle then, almost immediately, I heard something so horrendous it instantly made me sick to my stomach. I knew exactly what happened. It literally sounded like a bunch of tools rattling around a metal tool box.

    Anyway, luckily I was close to home and able to leave the car until this AM. Same symptoms except slightly different noise. There's like a wholloping when the clutch is not depressed in any gear and in neutral. However when my foot is on the clutch it's quiet. Weird.
    I sourced an 05 6spd and will be piecing everything together this week. Hope to have it back together by the weekend. Not sure how likely that is but wish me luck.

    I've also attached two shots of the broken output shaft in the old box. Why there isn't a recall on this is beyond me.

    I'll try to take as many pictures of my swap as I can. The new box should be here tomorrow or wed latest.
     

    Attached Files:

  10. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

    Feb 24, 2015
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    Well, that sucks. But much it's easier to deal with than a transmission (and cheaper too!)
     
  11. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
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    Sep 29, 2009
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    Maybe....

    But the great thing is.... It won't be difficult to figure out what happened...

    It'll cut your "figuring" time way down....:eek:
     
  12. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    That's what I like about mechanical stuff. Electronics' that's another story!
     
  13. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    What, Chris, your great at electronics. I bet if you ever had a problem with electronics it would only take you 6 months to find it.............maybe.:biggrin5:
     
  14. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    cheeky bugger lol
     
  15. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    Just out of interest what issues are you having with the MA Midlands box?
     
  16. daviday

    daviday Active Member

    Jan 15, 2014
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    From the conversations I've had with guys familiar it's seems as if I blew a bearing. Not sure which. Symptoms are: the car is getting no power to the wheels when in gear. Clutch is brand new so ruled that out.

    After reading my first post I think I should clarify that last sentence as it almost contradicts the intent of it in the first place... Unfortunately by doing that I'd be denying the fact that I'd feel better by setting the car on fire and that's not something I'm sure I feel comfortable doing on a public forum.
     
  17. daviday

    daviday Active Member

    Jan 15, 2014
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    Unfortunately time is not in my favor as it's my only car and I'm paying daily to get to and from work. I do agree with you though.

    I know the clutch is good because it was replaced as it was thought to be the root of the issues. (Due to either my failure to convey the circumstances in which the issue occurred or the failure of the shop to comprehend.)

    I guess it all comes down to the labor aspect. Which isn't exactly clear to me, which is what I should be talking about rather than what hardware is a better suit.

    I appreciate the offer. Thank you I'll post updates. I'm definitely going to rebuild/repair the midlands for the experience regardless. Hopefully I can get some dough back to use for something that'll be a bit more entertaining on the car.
     
  18. daviday

    daviday Active Member

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    Thanks guys. Going to make decision tomorrow morn.
     
  19. RallyMini370

    RallyMini370 Well-Known Member

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    Oh BTW the diff/pinion would be for the shipping cost only from MA to where you are.
     
  20. daviday

    daviday Active Member

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    Thanks man. I appreciate it. I've got a 6spd in my sights locally and a midlands in the uk. Reading and waiting for the phone to ring regarding the other parts to make the 6spd work. Such a popular car and the parts seem so unattainable. Weird.