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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Type 9 rattle.

My type 9 gearbox has developed a metallic rattle which is not speed related. It does it only when warm. It seems to be coming from the lever area rather than the box, but as we know sound travels.
When the noise is present it can be activated even at slow speed when going over bumps.

I thought it might be the saddle, so I ordered an OE Ford one so that I would have it to hand once I got the lever out, but when I got in there the saddle was intact so I’m stumped as to what it might be.
As mentioned the noise sounds metallic but the saddle is plastic.
Any ideas?
Bernie.
b higginson

As you say, sounds travel.

Release bearing/arm/bush? Does it stop with your foot on the pedal?

Only when warm though, suggests thinned oil, so an internal rattle.

anamnesis

Something deja vu about this.

I seem to remember somebody else having the same or similar problem.
anamnesis

Bernie, the quickshift lever tend to rattle but yours is standard Ford so shouldnt give that problem.

To avoid the rattling I fill up the whole area where the "fork" goes with grease.
Not had any serious noices since although I do ecpext my Quickshift lever has been wearing out over time, its been in there over 25 years now.
A de Best

Anam. Foot on pedal doesn’t seem to make any difference.
Arie. I did notice that there wasn’t a lot of grease in there when I took the lever out. It must have been like that since it was professionally rebuilt years ago, so I’ll fill it up when the new fork comes.
I hope that will work as I’m going to France next week.
Bernie.
b higginson

Personally I wouldn't fill it with grease as it may mask the true cause of the rattle, it would be better to find and fix that. The Ford boxes didn't come with that gear stick area filled with grease as standard, rather the moving surfaces greased but not a huge amount. Never had a problem with a rattle on any Ford gearbox myself whether a type 9 or other.
David Billington

Bernie, are you sure it's the gearbox itself and not just being transmitted into the car interior via the gearstick?
I once had a rattle that was 100% coming from the steering column cowl. It persisted through months of searching until for completely different reasons I replaced the TREs! Silence !

Exhaust? Speedo cable?
GuyW

Bernie,whereabouts in France are you heading for?
Roger D

I fitted a new saddle and put plenty of grease in the whole area. I must admit, there was not a lot of grease in there before. I went on a 40 mile run at the weekend and the noise was still there but not as loud. The run to Portsmouth then into France should let me know if I did the right thing.

Roger D France. Nine of us in 5 cars are going to Le Puy Notre Dame for the Grand Prix Retro. We leave on 24th for the weekend.
Pre WW2 stuff racing round the streets. Sounds like fun.
b higginson

That looks great fun.
We have family arriving from UK today so unfortunately I can't make it. I would loved to have come. I'm sure you will have a great weekend.
Roger D

I think I have sorted my rattle. The noise seemed to come from the lever end rather than the actual box. On further close listening I thought it was even further back than the lever. Then I noticed that my handbrake lever was a bit floppy and if I pulled the brake on whilst driving the noise was less.
So, passenger seat out and I found that the front bolt which holds the bracket to the tunnel was stripped and the two large countersunk pozidrive drive screws that secure the ratchet were hanging out. A new bolt and tightening of the screws firmed up the handbrake and I’m confident that when I go out for a test run the rattle will have gone.
b higginson

This thread was discussed between 17/07/2024 and 06/08/2024

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