This tutorial is also available in French
➔
Manual gearbox selector rod oil seal change on Austin Mini
Vehicle ➔ Mini 1000 am1988
Difficulty ➔ Easy
Time ➔ 1 hour
Summary
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Along with the differential oil seals, the gearbox linkage oil seal is one of the main sources of oil leaks.
No need to drain the engine oil before removing the gearbox linkage oil seal. When the seal and bush are removed, only a few drops of oil will seep through the hole.
While you're removing the gearbox linkage to change the oil seal, you might as well take the opportunity to change the aluminum bush and its O-ring. Indeed, if the aluminum bush has become oval over time, the new oil seal will not last long.
Required Tools
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Packaging :
•
MSSK050: The gearbox linkage kit includes the aluminum bush, O-ring, oil seal and bellows.
• RPS1416: The grooved pin is sold individually.
• RPS1416: The grooved pin is sold individually.
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Disassemble the linkage
Op 01
Locate the gearbox linkage oil seal.
Op 02
Position the gear lever in reverse.
In this position, the linkage will be slightly inclined and access to the grooved pin will be easier.
Op 03
Remove the grooved pin. Use the pin punch (Tool17), the hammer and the multigrip pliers.
The pin punch (Tool17) is suitable for this operation. It has a guide tip that fits into the grooved pin. It is thus held in line with the pin and does not slip to the side when struck with the hammer.
Before hitting with the hammer, position a wooden block between the linkage and the gearbox casing (1st photo). This will prevent damage to the selector shaft.
Op 04
Disconnect the linkage. Pull by hand.
Move the linkage to free up the workspace. Use a piece of string.
Op 05
Remove the bellows. Pull by hand.
Remove the oil seal and the bush
Op 06
Drill the oil seal. Use the Ø3 mm drill bit and the drill.
Make sure to position the drill bit correctly and control the angle of the drill. Do not machine either the selector shaft or the aluminum casing.
Op 07
Screw a Ø3.5 mm wood screw into the oil seal. Screw in by hand.
Remove the oil seal. Pull with pliers.
Op 08
Drill the aluminum bush. Use the Ø3 mm drill bit and the drill.
Always position the drill bit correctly and control the angle of the drill. Do not machine either the selector shaft or the aluminum casing.
No need to drill the bush all the way through. It is enough that the hole is deep enough for the wood screw to grip.
Op 09
Screw a Ø3.5 mm wood screw into the aluminum bush. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Remove the aluminum bush. Pull with pliers.
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Reassemble the bush and the oil seal
Op 10
Thoroughly clean the oil seal housing and the selector shaft.
Op 11
Lubricate the new O-ring (kit MSSK050) with engine oil.
Op 12
Fit the O-ring on the new aluminum bush (kit MSSK050).
Op 13
Fit the aluminum bush on the selector shaft and begin to engage it in its housing.
Push by hand initially.
Op 14
Slide the bush to the bottom of its housing. Use the pin punch (Tool17) and the hammer.
Tap lightly on the entire periphery of the bush. It goes in very easily.
Make sure that the aluminum bush is fully seated.
Op 15
Lubricate the new oil seal (kit MSSK050) with engine oil.
Op 16
Engage the oil seal in its housing. Push by hand.
The inner lip of the oil seal (side where the spring is located) must be positioned towards the inside of the gearbox.
The oil seal must have been engaged on its entire periphery before the next operation.
Op 17
Drive in the oil seal. Use the Ø6 mm pin punch and the hammer.
Tap lightly on the entire periphery of the oil seal. It goes in very easily.
Be careful not to damage the oil seal.
The seal must be flush with the aluminum gearbox casing.
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Reassemble the linkage
Op 18
Engage the bellows on the selector shaft. Fit it by hand.
The bellows has no particular orientation.
Op 19
Remove the string and position the gearbox linkage on the selector shaft.
Align the holes through which the grooved pin will pass (linkage and selector shaft).
If it has moved, position the gear lever in reverse.
Op 20
Engage the grooved pin (RPS1416). Use a hammer.
Do not forget to position the wooden block between the linkage and the gearbox casing (2nd photo).
Use the Ø6 mm pin punch to make the pin flush with the periphery of the linkage.
Op 21
Fit the bellows correctly at the end of the linkage.
Op 22
Check the engine oil level and top up if necessary.
The End
