HI ALL.

I had replaced the u-joints on the Datto this weekend. This was a real piece of cake.
The cling noise, vibrations, is gone, but again, Pls help,
I thought, that changing the u-joints will also help get rid of my noisy reverse, but didnt.
When reversing the g\box{I THINK} makes a heavy grinding noise. It also jumps out of reverse gear, when backing up quick.
Whats the problem here guys?
Is there a major problem with the g\box.
Do you think that this might completly breakdown and then no reverse.

Oh, the reverse had gotten noisy when once I did a burn out{spinned tyres} in reverse.

Any ideas as to what the problem is?

Please help, this is getting me pissed of.

Sounds like reverse gear is damaged. If you drive it carefully from now on it likely will not get any worse.

Thanks DD.

Another thing,
Can this gear be replaced easily,
can I do it myself, or do I have to give it to a g\box specialist and if so, will it be expensive?

Hi Reeves

Your best bet is to take the gearbox out and take it to a gearbox place.
Let them take it apart and inspect everything while the gearbox is open.
My reverse makes a whining noise when reversing fast. But that is normal.
Grinding sounds bad.
Or you can try and get a overhauled gearbox and replace your gearbox with a reconditioned one.
The stripping and repair of your gearbox will be + - R1000.
They will then check everything for you.
That is how much mine cost when I did mine.

Quote:It might have been much less costly if these thoughts had occurred to you "before" you brutally abused the poor old gearbox.

It sounds like the gearbox will need to be removed & overhauled, or replaced before it breaks alltogether. Reverse gear is made just strong enough to allow rearward movement,... infrequently,... at low throttle settings,.. during the cars life.
If you mistreat it, as you have done, it will suffer from a shortened service life, as you now know.

The repair is best done by someone who knows what he is doing, but not necessarily a gearbox specialist.
Expensive? possibly, but you have plenty of money, or else you would take better care of your car.

ya know what, the EXACT same thing happened 2 me!!!!. My reverse made heaps of noise when i put it in reverse and it always slipped out at speed. Ur reverse gear is stuffed and i wouldnt be suprised if u fell somethin funny in second gear 2 cuz i did on mine. I just got a complete new box put in(there not 2 dear), but its up 2 u!!!!. Mine did continue 2 get worse and in the end drove me NUTS

Well I guess now, I know better.

These standard boxes are really weak.

Anyway, do you think I'm better off having to buy, another 1200 g\box, recondition it, or probably just put an a14 ute box.{2nd hand}.

What do you guys think.?

Make sure it will fit into your gearbox tunnel of the car.
As far as I know the 4speed gearbox is a bit smaller and a bit lighter than the 5speed bakkie one.
If I were you and can get a 5speed cheap go for it.
You will not score on revs at 120km/h.
The revs as far as I know will still be the same as your 4 speed.
But you will have a newer gearbox and 5 gears.

If you can find a second hand 5spd gear box go for it. They are light years ahead of the pidley 56A box, which is really not strong enough for drivers under 25, or racers. You will have to remove the reversing light switch, and make a new Xmember. No biggie though.

The original 1200 gearbox is not "weak," it is as strong as it needs to be for it's original designed purpose.
These 56a gearboxes were installed in a car that was built to a PRICE. That the Datsun engineers did such a good job of it is a testament to their expertise.

The gearbox, along with everything else, was intended to last a full lifespan, in a stock car, when driven in the normal, intended way.
Like everything else, they were small & light, which contributed to low manufacturing costs, & in turn, the low sale price. The light weight also contributed to their great fuel economy, which was one of their strongest selling points. These things are good to remember.

They will handle a fair bit of "sporting" driving style, but running the engine to valve float, then side steping the clutch in reverse, is hardly within the design brief & will definately void the warranty.

My 56a five speed has done a great deal of mileage & will be rebuilt to run behind my new A12Q engine. I will be respectfull of it's limits, & i expect that it will outlive me, but provide all the "sporty driving" fun that it has done, since i first installed it in the early 80's.

Weak is a relative term.
I have known blokes that i swear, could break steel balls in a sand pit with a rubber hammer. Does that make the steel balls "weak"