Mini 30 auto output shaft

[mikee]

I replaced the offside pot joint on my mini 30 auto but noticed that the diff. output shaft moved about quite a lot when the pot joint was removed. When the joint slides back on the shaft and engages with the circlip, a bush inside the diff housing seems to stop it moving from side to side, but there is still some movement of the shaft (with the joint) in and out of the gearbox - about half an inch. Is this right, please? Grateful for any advice anyone can provide.

With best wishes

Mike

[limby2000]

Do you mean turning lash, or lateral side to side?.

[mikee]

Lateral, side to side, the splined shaft will move in and out the gearbox about half an inch. But this doesn't seem to affect driving, which surprised me a little as I thought any movement within the differential would cause problems. Glad of your thoughts

Best wishes

Mike

[limby2000]

Wow!, that does seem excessive, that shaft pushing in is stopped be pinion wheel, and pulling it out its goverend by the bronze thrust washer which butts against the diff output bearing. There should,nt be that much movement.

[mikee]

Thanks Limby2000, I suspected as much. But she seems to drive OK so I am going to resist the temptation to remove the engine, dismantle the gearbox and then try to put it all back together!!

With best wishes

Mike

[limby2000]

Tbh honest ive never seen one that has no play at all, you can change the bush that the pot joints spin in, their cheap but you,ll have to get them reamed to fit, unless thy dre flapping around (vibration) or oil pouring out (more than normal) ,dont worry.

[limby2000]

Only 154 mini 30 auto,s made. Ive got one.

[mikee]

Many thanks, Limby, just finished changing the driver's side engine mounting and decided I am too old for all this!!

Just checked 'how many left' and it seems there are 7 mini 30 autos on the road with 20 sorn'd. So they are a rare breed and worth keeping going. Mine's black (did they make autos in red?)

Best wishes

Mike

[mra-minis]

Sept 5, 2020 20:22:08 GMT mikee said:

Thanks Limby2000, I suspected as much. But she seems to drive OK so I am going to resist the temptation to remove the engine, dismantle the gearbox and then try to put it all back together!!

With best wishes

Mike

Mike can I confirm that you mean the output shaft that is sticking out from between the seal (when pot joint is removed) ? In either case a diff unit that is not in good health can very easily become dangerous, my recommendations are get it fixed before driving.

You may ask why ? the main reason is a diff that suddenly locks up will make the car very unstable even at slow speeds it might be enough to cause an RTA, at higher speeds you could easily spin out and I am sure I don't need to spell that outcome to you There are plenty of people on this forum that can help and or advise you.

[limby2000]

Sept 19, 2020 15:59:28 GMT mikee said:

Many thanks, Limby, just finished changing the driver's side engine mounting and decided I am too old for all this!!

Just checked 'how many left' and it seems there are 7 mini 30 autos on the road with 20 sorn'd. So they are a rare breed and worth keeping going. Mine's black (did they make autos in red?)

Best wishes

Mike

[limby2000]

When you looked up how many left, you will find some listed under Rover, some under Austin Rover and some like mike which was under Austin, it all depended on the original dealership paperwork submitted for the v5. I dont know the exact split for auto,s over the 2x colours but ive seen a few red auto,s. Mines red now but was originally black, but other than the wheels and engine block, glass and 1x door ive changed everything,lol.

[mikee]

Oct 2, 2020 8:38:04 GMT mra-minis said:

Sept 5, 2020 20:22:08 GMT mikee said:

Thanks Limby2000, I suspected as much. But she seems to drive OK so I am going to resist the temptation to remove the engine, dismantle the gearbox and then try to put it all back together!!

With best wishes

Mike

Mike can I confirm that you mean the output shaft that is sticking out from between the seal (when pot joint is removed) ? In either case a diff unit that is not in good health can very easily become dangerous, my recommendations are get it fixed before driving.

You may ask why ? the main reason is a diff that suddenly locks up will make the car very unstable even at slow speeds it might be enough to cause an RTA, at higher speeds you could easily spin out and I am sure I don't need to spell that outcome to you There are plenty of people on this forum that can help and or advise you.

Thanks Martin. That's the one. There is about a half inch movement in and out. I didn't think that should be right, or how wrong it was, but it doesn't seem to affect the driving in any way. Is there an easy fix, or is it engine out?

Best wishes

Mike

[mra-minis]

I can be contacted on [e-mail]

Hi Mike,

Unfortunately anything diff related really needs a removal, try the following test..

1) Engine off for this test.
2) Chock, hand brake and select the park position.
3) Jack up one front wheel only.
4) Install an axle stand for safety.
5) Now rotate the jacked up wheel from forward to backwards.
6) How far can the wheel be rotated "freely" ie before you feel resistance in either direction.
7) This will show you the wear in the diff pin and the small amount of clearance within the crown wheel & pinion.

Any more than about 20 degrees is bad and needs to be fixed, any more than about 30 degrees don't drive as the pin is in immediate danger of failing.

I cannot stress this enough ! if it fails whilst being driven the minimum is an expensive rebuild.

Having been in this position some years ago I was lucky enough to spin out between 2 oncoming cars and onto a grass verge with no damage at all

[mikee]

Many thanks Martin, I will do that and report back....

You may remember this is the mini you replaced the oil seal behind the torque converter for me a while ago.

Best wishes

Mike

[mra-minis]

Oct 20, 2020 14:20:47 GMT mikee said:

Many thanks Martin, I will do that and report back....

You may remember this is the mini you replaced the oil seal behind the torque converter for me a while ago.

Best wishes

Mike

I'm sorry, I have done a few, so I may misremember.. If your Name is Mike (from your profile) is it red ? but hopefully the job lasted for you

[mikee]

I am Mike, but the car is black. And yes, the seal has held up well, although the oil found other ways out the engine - it is after all a mini. So a vote of thanks to you, Martin.

I will try to get out to perform the test now the rain has stopped.

Best wishes

Mike

[mikee]

Oct 3, 2020 7:21:50 GMT limby2000 said:

When you looked up how many left, you will find some listed under Rover, some under Austin Rover and some like mike which was under Austin, it all depended on the original dealership paperwork submitted for the v5. I dont know the exact split for auto,s over the 2x colours but ive seen a few red auto,s. Mines red now but was originally black, but other than the wheels and engine block, glass and 1x door ive changed everything,lol.

Thanks Limby. I think mine is under 'Rover'. I think it's brilliant and use it just about daily. Yes, lots of bits replaced (wing, part of the floor, windscreen, rear subframe and so on) and loads of money spent but the value seems to keep up with the costs (I hope). I thought there were only a few autos - something like 200 out of the 2,000 30s made. And I thought that only black cars had the auto option, but think I may have dreamt that! It always gets admiring glances and quite a few stories about the person's (or his or her dad's) ownership of a mini 'back in the day'. Unfortunately, the auto doesn't seem terribly popular - I think some people are scared off in case the gearbox goes wrong, and admittedly it isn't the most sophisticated box. But they are still good fun and I think it important we keep a bit of British automotive history on the road.

Best wishes

Mike

[limby2000]

My 30 was originally black, but i have seen several red auto,s, if fact theres a red one for sale on one of my other groups. As for oil leaks, i fully rebuilt my engine and gearbox, all new seals and gasket sealent, and still managed to get a leak, they are frustrating.

[mikee]

Oct 23, 2020 21:26:47 GMT limby2000 said:

My 30 was originally black, but i have seen several red auto,s, if fact theres a red one for sale on one of my other groups. As for oil leaks, i fully rebuilt my engine and gearbox, all new seals and gasket sealent, and still managed to get a leak, they are frustrating.

Ah OK...don't know why I thought all autos were black. I have just rebuilt (well, someone else did much of the work but I put it back together!) a sportyish 998 for my Countryman. There are no leaks, but it has only done 300 miles. The drip tray is readied, propped up in the corner! How easy or difficult was it to rebuild the auto compared to the manual? It is something I will need to do sometime. The engine has done 56k and I know some work was done on the gearbox a few years ago, but the whole think is going to need a refresh sometime. The bodywork is really good, having spent much money on it, so it is worth doing.

Regards

Mike