2002 TD5 Spigot Bush Change?

[bankz5152]

Afternoon all,

Managed to narrow down the horrendous noise coming from my transmission to what I think is either the spigot bush or clutch release baring. The noise started few weeks ago, but has always been slightly noticeable in reverse, since then it has gotten much worse and I am starting to have minor issues getting into reverse on occasion.

Garages are quoting £500+ gearbox out job, annoying for what are cheap parts

Is this do able at home? If so how difficult? Handy with a spanner and a couple mates who are but no engine crane or anything like that. I have read you can shunt the gearbox back but is this actually possible to do to change this wretched bush/bearing?

Equally is it worth doing if it is the Spigot or just leave it noisy? Worst case if its the release bearing?

Thanks
Josh

 

[Brown]

In the old Haynes manual we had for our Series 2 years ago there was a lovely paragraph about transmission problems which said you had to weigh up the amount of effort and expense in doing a job against the amount of day to day inconvenience the driver is prepared to put up with. That sounds like it applies to what you're facing. The gearbox and transfer case together are pretty heavy. I managed to lift ours into a wheelbarrow once but it gave me a peculiar sensation like an out of body experience, so probably isn't advisable. An alternative to an engine crane could be a transmission jack like this
http://www.sgs-engineering.com/garage-equipment/transmission-jacks/tjt500-transmission-floor-jack I'm thinking of treating myself to one of these next time i need to do a clutch. It might be a good idea to take the transfer box off first, then the primary gearbox as they'll be a bit more manageable separately.

Post some pictures of how you get on, because I'm interested in this as I might need to do my clutch sometime soon.

 

[bankz5152]

Exactly that, thing is it just stops me from driving anywhere too far or going laning/off roading. The noise at the minute is just annoying when manoeuvring but I just got worried when I couldnt get it into reverse in the car park!

Equally no idea if this is even I job I could do myself without buggering it up and having to take it to a garage anyway!

 

[Brown]

I don't think it's technically difficult, compared to some of the stuff you've done already. It's just the weight and the awkwardness. There are lots of useful tips on here, such as using lengths of screwed rod to help you line the bellhousing back up to the engine on reassembly, or getting the bush out by filling the hole with grease and then tapping something cylindrical (like a socket with sticky tape on it to get it to the right diameter) in to the hole to force the bush out with hydraulic pressure. Seems to me that you could save yourself a lot of money by doing it yourself, and the money you save will cover the cost of a transmission jack or engine crane.

 

[bankz5152]

Thanks for the vote of confidence! Been reading around trying to find as much info as possible.

Is there actually enough space to change the spigot and release bearing from just shunting the box back? I assume to do this I would have to remove the transmission tunnel and use an engine crane through a door then slide it back on the xmember?

Any links to such information

 

[Bennehboy]

I'd say you've got no chance of removing the spigot bush by shunting the gearboc back, the clutch cover and flywheel will be in the way. It's a bit of a job to get it out even with full access, usually have to smash it out with a chisel (they break up easily) because the grease trick doesn't work.

You may be able to do the release bearing that way, but you'd need to come back a fair way and then you are colliding the tbox with the body underside (on a d2 at least! doh).

It's a pain in the bum job, even when using a lift and gearbox jacks.... crossmembers off , props off, exhaust center box off...

Make sure you tape over the end of the clutch slave when you disconnect it from the bell, stop it spitting the cylinder out and leaking fluid everywhere...

 

[james6546]

Dunno about getting the gearbox out, but to get the spigot out as Brown says fill it with grease then knock a socket that completely fills the hole in. It took me a while to get it to work. Also be careful when putting a new one in as I bent the first one...

 

[johnlad]

If your going to do it then if the clutch has been in a while it maybe worth swooping that as well

 

[bankz5152]

This is what has ****ed me off the most. The lot was changed 2 years/12k miles ago by Land Rover, I supplied a 5 piece Valeo kit. I'm thinking it should not have failed so quickly but equally don't have much to stand on considering I supplied the parts and LR did the work....

 

[Bennehboy]

They can start to squeel within weeks of being done. A lot of folk recommend soaking them in hot oil for some time before fitting, they're made from sintered brass (compressed fine brass particles) that soak up the oil.... I just whacked copperslip on mine last time and havn't had any issues for 18 months (knock on wood!)

 

[bankz5152]

The noise I can live with until I have spare cash to sort it. Though from what I have read it could equally be the clutch release bearing/thrust bearing which could end up in me loosing drive randomly somewhere!

 

[Bennehboy]

First time I did my clutch/spigot the thrust bearing housing was spinning on the fork causing a right racket every time i dipped the clutch, there's a tiny plastic clip that secures it to the fork (think someone makes a metal upgrade). I replaced my release bearing with a billet aluminium housed one, think ****part make one - they're actually pretty good though.

 

[johnlad]

Spigot bush noise normally stops once engine is warm and my 110 has done it for years not causing any issues also it's only there when lifting clutch slowly as in a parking manoeuvre

 

[bankz5152]

What would be the signs of a failing release bearing?

Im off for a short-ish drive tonight so I will make notes as to whats happening and when then update.

Thanks for all the responses guys really appreciate it!

 

[Bennehboy]

What would be the signs of a failing release bearing?

Im off for a short-ish drive tonight so I will make notes as to whats happening and when then update.

Thanks for all the responses guys really appreciate it!

Usually a right racket when you dip the clutch.

 

[bankz5152]

Yep. Very loud when clutch down, in gear. Goes 90% of the time if you drop into neutral, some times it remains. No noise in gear or with clutch up.

 

[jamesmartin]

Afternoon all,

Managed to narrow down the horrendous noise coming from my transmission to what I think is either the spigot bush or clutch release baring. The noise started few weeks ago, but has always been slightly noticeable in reverse, since then it has gotten much worse and I am starting to have minor issues getting into reverse on occasion.

Garages are quoting £500+ gearbox out job, annoying for what are cheap parts

Is this do able at home? If so how difficult? Handy with a spanner and a couple mates who are but no engine crane or anything like that. I have read you can shunt the gearbox back but is this actually possible to do to change this wretched bush/bearing?

Equally is it worth doing if it is the Spigot or just leave it noisy? Worst case if its the release bearing?

Thanks
Josh

if its spigot noise will go when clutch is fully down

 

[Brown]

Spigot bush noise normally stops once engine is warm and my 110 has done it for years not causing any issues also it's only there when lifting clutch slowly as in a parking manoeuvre

Yup, mine does that sometimes. Low speed parking before 9.00 in the morning and it makes a noise. Later in the day it's quiet.

I must say I've had quite good luck with the grease and socket technique over the years. It also worked for me with Austin 7 hubs getting the bronze bushes out that the king pins go in.

 

[bankz5152]

if its spigot noise will go when clutch is fully down

That's when the noise is the worst. Clutch fully down, in gear.

Problem is it does seem mad to spend £650 (latest quote from Gigglepin) to replace £50 of parts when I could go to Ashcroft get a new box, higher ratio 5th, and HD support bearing fitted for £1250 and have the piece of mind that ill never have to touch the gearbox again.... Then again is double the cost...

 

[jamesmartin]

That's when the noise is the worst. Clutch fully down, in gear.

Problem is it does seem mad to spend £650 (latest quote from Gigglepin) to replace £50 of parts when I could go to Ashcroft get a new box, higher ratio 5th, and HD support bearing fitted for £1250 and have the piece of mind that ill never have to touch the gearbox again.... Then again is double the cost...

you can never say never with gear boxes, id be surprised it it was spigot in that case, does it have any noise in 3rd or 5th