Think I have some marbles in my gearbox.

The noise is worst on overrun. It is there at idle but stops if I push the clutch in, starts back up as soon as clutch is released.

I remember it being a bit noisy when I first bought it a year ago and I'm not sure if it has got worse or if I'm being more paranoid about it. It's not incredibly loud and it doesn't sound like it's going to blow up or anything but it's definitely a bit disconcerting. I'd like to pull a 750kg trailer but am a bit worried about the extra strain on the transmission.

It's annoying as the rest of the landy runs pretty sweet *touch wood*. How worried should I be about it?

1972 series 3 petrol.

It sounds like a bit of play on your clutch thrust bearing.

Mine's been rattling for years, and is now a roundtuit.

Have you changed gearbox oil since you got it. If not probably worth changing the oil and checking the old oil for metallic parts .

I changed the oil when I first got it and there were some bits of metal that came out but the noise didn't really change. I changed it again a couple of weeks ago and the oil that came out was clean.

Just found a bit in Haynes that says that the decision to take the box out and overhaul depends on "the degree of noise or malfunction that the driver can tolerate".

CalumM said:

I changed the oil when I first got it and there were some bits of metal that came out but the noise didn't really change. I changed it again a couple of weeks ago and the oil that came out was clean.

Just found a bit in Haynes that says that the decision to take the box out and overhaul depends on "the degree of noise or malfunction that the driver can tolerate".

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sounds like crap advice , its usually best to repair as soon as possible if a failed bearing is suspected,prolonged use with such will cause more damage to more parts

I guess the gearbox is going to have to come out anyway regardless of whether it is the clutch release bearing or one in the box itself?

Doubt I'm going to have time to do it for quite a while. Is it possible to drop it without removing the crossmember? I don't have a hoist to lift with.

yes if you remove tunnel and seat box

Have you tried running through the gears with transfer box in neutral. To make sure it is gearbox.

Yes tried it with the transfer in neutral, still made the noise. Thanks for the help. I think I'm just going to have to leave it till I have more time free, could be quite a while :/ I don't do many miles in it so hopefully it will last.

I was told I'd lost my marbles when I brought a landy

This guy talked about marbles in his gearbox

Series Land Rover Gearbox Rebuild

Is the marbly noise worse as the gearbox warms up? Mine does! Sounds like the same sort of thing as mine, just a horrible noise that makes you think the box is gonna implode. Mines slowly getting worse. Don't you love LRs. If you find out what it is give us a post.

mines been like that since being rebuilt. Has brand new mainshaft and components. Someone mentioned the mainshaft components can rattle on theoverrun and going downhill. DW.