Front diff bearings?

[Error404]

Took my car out for a shakedown run after fitting new engine and 01E gearbox, got a constant whine coming from the box. Not been doing well for second hand parts recently what with my waterfall radiator as well
It is most pronounced on overrun at about 2k & 6k rpm, but its there all the time, under and off load and in gear as well as coasting in neutral.
I'm going to double check the oil level tomorrow, but pretty sure its right.

Does this sound like diff carrier bearings?

[s2driveruk]

doesnt sound good Alex, hope its just fluid level related

[mcandmar]

I have a gearbox with the same fault, spoke to a gearbox specialist who said he would put money on it being the output shaft bearing. i.e. the one that supports the pinion gear. Bad news is the bearing costs ~£200

[Error404]

is yours terminal Mark?

[mcandmar]

It was the original gearbox out of my avant, only big problem the car had when i bought it, hence the low price. I did notice over the first few weeks it was getting louder so thats when i pulled the engine, gearbox, and suspension and rebuilt the car with new bits. I already had a spare 6speed box for the coupe conversion so that went in its place.

The box itself should be fixable with the right part, i removed it as soon as possible in case it fell apart or seized up and destroyed the rest of the box. I do have another gearbox thats untested but i believe has a noisy first gear. Someday i'll strip them both and build a good one out of the two. Should really save up for a new set of syncros and do it right.

My only problem is i bought another good box and stupidly didnt label it. So now i have three kicking around and no idea which is the good one

[Error404]

Oops!
I think I'd rather rebuild than buy another used one if it comes to it, at least you have a known quantity. I think a lot are getting to an age now where mileage, abuse and poor maintenance are taking their toll unfortunately.

Really can't face taking the car to bits again right now

[4WheelDrifter]

When my front diff pinion bearing was on the way out the noise was road speed related, as you would expect. It got louder under load, more under power than on coastdown. If I keep the throttle light to keep the car coasting it was quiet.

It lasted about a year. But that did include a trip to the Ring and about 18 laps of Castle Combe. It got pretty loud by the end, almost to the point where you couldn't hear your passenger speaking. One last hard launch pretty much finished it.
Now I have a trophy sat here.

[Error404]

you beast Stu!

Well i'm doing Oulton Park next Friday, i'll monitor how loud it gets. I don't do many miles in the car (as its normally in bits )

Two options really - either get this box rebuild this box, or fit a known good box. Trouble is they're becoming hard to find... have been thinkning about a DSY. Are they a straight swap for the CGR box or is there more to it? I know the shifter linkage is differnt etc, does the ABY / RS2 linkage work with the DSY?

[4WheelDrifter]

The linkage fits a DSY fine with a small spacer. You can either find a space for an oil cooler, or link the inlet and outlet together.

You'll know when it's really bad. I found it gets louder and louder, then goes quiet, almost like it has fixed itself. But then it comes back with a vengeance, then explodes about 50 miles later.

[Error404]

haha .. well I'll be happy enough as long as i make it home from Oulton in once piece next week, then i can plan what i do to sort it.

Where does the spacer go on the DSY? Under the pivot arm bracket thing?

[4WheelDrifter]

Yeah. It's just like a 15/20mm washer under one of the mounting bracket thing. I thought I had a photo somewhere, but I can't find it. It's pretty self explanatory when you bolt the rest up.

[Error404]

Cheers Stu

[s2driveruk]

always fancied a trip round oulton park, nice one hope it all hangs together on the day and nice photo Stu