Drive failure - gearbox?

[SoLaMaNdA]

I have to sort a major problem on my new 360 but will have to wait a week or two till I have the time. In the mean time can anyone shed anylight on whats wrong, I've talked to 5Lab abit and its confusing!

Here is the problem:

Up the drive with the engine running releasing the clutch pedal in ANY gear or neutral results in NO drive to the rear wheels and a nasty high pitch rattle/slipping sound.

Whilst towing it the clutch had to be pressed to stop this noise in ANY gear or neutral - (with engine running or not)!

I'm guessing the gearbox is stuck in a gear and f***ed, maybe not the torque tube?

[Vario Si]

I dont know alot atall, but is it not likely be that the gear selector/fork/collar is not functioning properly... *shrugs*

[pettaw]

Yeah, it sounds to me like the g/box selector is gone, does the gearstick feel floppy in any way or can you positively hear it clunking in and out of gear.

Also, you may find you have no clutch plate left, then again you'd expect some sort of drive, even with metal to metal contact.

[SoLaMaNdA]

The car has less than 30K on the clock so I doubt the clutch has worn out. The gear stick feels fine and clunks in and out of gear almost exactly the same as my other 360, (although feels LESS sloppy as its so low mileage). When holding halfway into gear i can just about feel the syncromesh working on the gear lever. This sugests to me power is being transfered down the torque tube to a dead gearbox.

[pettaw]

yep, sounds like a dead gearbox. Shame that as its so low mileage. I doubt very much you'll find a replacement thats anywhere near that.

[Fuse]

Could it be that the propshaft's connection to the gearbox has failed? I have seen few cases where the "teeths" (dunno the proper word in english..) at the end of the propshaft have gone flat. The collar (again I can't remember the correct word.. ) which connects the torque tube on to the gearbox can get loose sometimes. Those might be worth to check also.

[RandomHero]

@ Fuse,

I was thinking of the same thing. Couldnt'translate it either. Those 'teeth' have vulcanished rubber around it. It can get worn out and then the connection is lost. Nothing can be transmitted. Someone on the dutch forum had this same problem. In this case you should change the propshaft.

[jtbo]

I don't think that 360 has rubber, 1.7 and 1.4 has.

[Fuse]

Yeah 2l models have all-metal propshaft. 1.4 and 1.7 have aluminum one with vulcanised rubber ends. But all-metal one can get worn also.

[morgan105]

It could be the clutch diaphram spring has gone. This is what returns the friction plates together to give drive. Another culprit in clutch failure is the release bearing, these can explode without warning and jam a clutch open if pices wedge in other areas of the clutch.
Start with the easiest first which is taking the propshaft off and looking for worn teeth as the others have mentioned and then go on to the clutch.

morgan105

[SoLaMaNdA]

I'll have a look later. I have my old 77k 360 as my donor car. The new car is in such good condition I'm determined to get it working!

[RandomHero]

When you put it in first gear and try to drive, does de the prop actually turn?

[SoLaMaNdA]

There is no way to tell as the prop is encased in the torque tube!

[SteveP]

Can you tell where the high pitch noises are coming from when the clutch is engaged? I'd assume the rear of the car? I reckon its torque tube/prop related rather than gearbox trouble.. the symptoms sound similar to other cars that have had torque tube failures.

Maybe this would help? :

http://www.xs4all.nl/~chdrost/models/360/360tube.html

[SoLaMaNdA]

Thanks steve, that sounds like my problem! Glad the petrol tank is almost totally empty, easy to drain!