LT77 Rebuild

[Markymark21]

Hi All,
Having driven the 350i over the weekend, it is clear that all is not well with the gearbox. It crunches going into gear (2nd/3rd/4th) pretty much all the time. The last owner flushed the box and put the correct oil in it, so my assumption is that the synchro has failed.
I was going to take the gearbox to Ashcroft transmissions as they did an R380 for me many years ago, but it seems that they now don’t rebuild the 2WD gearboxes.
Has anyone on here got a company that they could recommend to rebuild my gearbox? Preferably in the south?

Any steer much appreciated...

Mark

[rev-erend]

I have used gearbox man for my LT77:

https://www.gearboxman.co.uk/

Competition Transmission Services
Units 3-4 Sharose Court
Hicks Road
Markyate
Hertfordshire
England
AL3 8JH

[lancepar]

If you put your region in your profile maybe someone will suggest a place near you.....Yes?

This company is in the West Midlands.

http://www.rogerbaylisstransmissions.co.uk/

May the 4th be with you.

[rev-erend]

Before you remove the g/box, might be worth trying Mobil 1 and an additive (molyslip?).. Adam Q swears by it.

Its worth trying as it's an engine out job to remove the box.

Edited by rev-erend on Tuesday 4th May 14:03

[KKson]

I picked up my rebuilt LT77 on Friday from Geartech near Kidderminster. £460 including VAT for full rebuild, new oil pump, bearings etc. They have also done my diff previously. They are a great business.

[Markymark21]

Hi All,
Thanks for the quick replies.
The gearbox already has the molyslip stuff in it. I know this as I helped the PO put it in. He also changed the linkage bushes. If I’m coasting with clutch down (engine revving freely) and go in and out of a gear it crunches each time. So I think the clutch is fine. Problem is in the gearbox.
I’ll take a look at the companies you suggest and work out when I’m going to take the engine and box out to do this....

Oh and I’ve updated my profile with location....

Thanks,
Mark

[adam quantrill]

Do you get a crunch when putting it in reverse too?

Another cause might be the spigot 'bearing' which I think it just a brash bush in the end of the crankshaft, if this is playing up it can drag the input shaft around even though the clutch is depressed. The reversing test is a good indicator.

[Markymark21]

Hi Adam,
I don’t recall anything. What I do know is that it’ll happily engage first without any noise at a standstill. The crunching happens when the car is rolling. I’ll check the reverse engagement and come back to you.
Thanks!
Mark

[jeremyc]

I've used Road and Race Transmissions before who are local to you. I don't know if they have specific LT77 experience, but the proprietor Phil has been in the gearbox business for 40 years so has probably seen one before.

Road and Race Transmissions
Unit 2, Filston Farm,
Filston Lane
Shoreham,
Sevenoaks
Kent,
TN14 5JU
United Kingdom

[e-mail]

[phone]

[Markymark21]

Thanks Jeremy, they would be very convenient to use. Will call them.

[Markymark21]

Ok so I called RR Transmissions. They won’t touch the LT77 (or R380) in 2WD form as they can’t get the parts. Genuine stuff is not available and the pattern parts are poor quality. I got the same story from Ashcrofts as well.
However, gearboxman has the parts and says he can do it, so that looks like the best, most local bet for me.

Cheers,
Mark

[adam quantrill]

That is strange as a lot of the front of the box (both types) surely has common parts?

And also, it's worrying, especially with my track record in gearbox consumption!

[rev-erend]

The trouble with you supercharged boys is you are all torque

[Markymark21]

I did ask Ashcrofts why they can do the 4WD but not the 2WD and they said parts are different.
You are right though. Doesn’t look good for long term ownership as these gearboxes do break...