Drivetrain Latest Topics

Driveshafts 2500 Saloon

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 09:56:35 +0000

Hello all

Has anyone fitted the SCParts CV jointed driveshafts? At £1000 inc Vat a pair they are over £400 cheaper than the Classic driving development shafts.
Just wondering if they are Ok?
Any opinions?
Many thanks
Paul

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/146372220005?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D777008%26algo%3DPERSONAL.TOPIC%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20250417133020%26meid%3D3f2198b3c28d49508cd5635f13f2334c%26pid%3D102726%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26itm%3D146372220005%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4375194%26algv%3DRecentlyViewedItemsV2DWebWithPSItemDRV2_BP%26brand%3DUnbranded&_trksid=p4375194.c102726.m162918#:~:text=RKC454CV Pair Triumph TR4A TR5 TR6 CV Joint Drive Shafts Upgrade TKC853CV Shaft

Spitfire 1500 - overdrive conversion

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 20:41:26 +0000

I have a triumph spitfire 1500 with a regularly gearbox. I have another with an overdrive that I’m looking to swap in. The body is off at present. Any guidelines, tips or tricks much appreciated! Thank you.

J Type overdrive gearbox

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 15:45:45 +0000

Hi all

I'm in the process of acquiring a 1976 TR6 from Canada and I'm occupying myself gettling bits for it. The car doesnt have an overdrive but I've found a Triumph gerbox with J Tye overdrive.
I know that late model TR6's have the J type overdrive but lttle is known about the gearbox that the seller has though he describes it as a TR gearbox - is there anything I should look out for ? Will saloon gearboxes with the J Type o/d fit a TR6 ? Are there specific gearbox numbers for a TR6 with an o/d.

Thanks for reading.

Triumph 2000 1974 clutch master cylinder

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 19:55:15 +0000

Evening - I have a triumph saloon with a new master cylinder that I was told (internet) would work in this car - fits fine but pedal is at max height before biting point - not sure if this means the MC is to blame or the clutch is knacked?

Do you know if any where to get an MC that we know works etc so we can rule it out?

Many thanks

PS - spoke to one of your members at the Lake District Motor Museum about this issue last month - much appreciated tbe input 👍

Gt6 gearbox removal OD mk2

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 18:24:39 +0000

Hello folks,

Planned to remove the gearbox today, however I got stuck...

Jack supporting engine slightly under back of sump and nuts/bolts from bellhousing out, back of od mount bolts out, prop disconnected etc etc

Can see a small gap at bottom of housing, went to jack to raise engine ie take up slack etc and just raises whole car ie can see engine pivoting on mountings so bit confused...?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Spitfire 1500 diff/halfshaft oil seal leak

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 22:55:42 +0000

I am busy replacing the halfshaft UJs on my Spitfire 1500 and have noticed that the diff/halfshaft oil seal is leaking.

Is it possible to replace this in situ without removing the diff from the car.

Thanks in advance.

Kevin

Spitfire Project.... Gearbox Identification help please

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 15:10:59 +0000

Hi, So I'm slowly progressing through my rebuild project and wondering if anyone can help Identify the gearbox please (Photo's attatched)
So far I know the 1500 engine is from a Dolomite 1500 automatic, and on top of that I've removed the Body from the car to do the main repair work i.e replace brake lines, clutch (seized from sitting 35 years) and so forth.

I have found what looks like a "Stock Fitment" of a concrete block and extra large zip tie supporting the back of the gear box to the chassis and trying to track down where the drivetrain parts may have came from as not a single number on this car has tied up so far....
To sum it up, I think I've brought a car that someone has slapped together from a scrap heap...... GT6 Chassis (blue paint under the black), 1500 Dolomite engine, Spitfire MK4 body with 3 colours of paint over it (originally Safron Yellow)........

Also any Idea what the sensor just below the stick could be for as it was just a yellow n green wire floating in the wind found after removing the body?

Thanks,
John

*Edit*
Prefix looks like FR 35632, hard to tell as it is not straight

13/60 Gearbox Oil

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 11:12:50 +0000

Will the grade of gearbox oil affect gear change smoothness?

Ours is excellent when cold, but gets progressively notchy as it warms up.

Im thinking higher viscosity oil?

Big saloon rear hub bearing replacements

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:14:26 +0000

I need to have 2 rear hub bearings fitted to my 2.5 Estate for the RBRR in October.

Can anyone recommend someone to fit these at short notice please.

TD Fitchett's - Reconditioned Gearbox Queries

Wed, 21 May 2025 11:09:02 +0000

As anyone purchased and fitted one of the Fitchett Reconditioned Triumph Gearboxes recently?

I've got issues with my current 'D' Type Over-drive Box and was considering rebuilding a second-hand one I've recently acquired and swopping them over, however I'm struggling to source some of the parts needed, a possible option is an exchange box off Fitchett's but I've no idea what's done to them and what the quality is like.

Any opinions and advice welcomed please.

Gary

Sloppy gear stick

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:22:31 +0000

Would you say this is too much play and would benefit from rebushing. If so where would you recommend the best rebush kit

Mike

20250812_171550.mp4

spitfire / type 9

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 12:27:16 +0000

Hi, Does anyone know what type of clutch kit i will need ? I have a spitfire mk lV 1300 with a Type 9 fitted .
When i press the clutch pedal i can hear a rotating noise , which gets louder and faster the more i rev the engine ( i'm guessing it's the release bearing ) but not sure .
Also could this be from the fork bushes or play around the fork ?
Any help would be very much appreciated , Cheers J

Driveshaft UJ noise cure - quick, easy, cheap.

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:44:02 +0000

I'm feeling optimistic that I've finally eliminated the nasty knocking noises from my Herald Coupe's rear end. In the end the solution was easy, quick and very cheap and didn't involve removing the drive shaft.
Armed with a good pair of circlip pliers and a handful of oversize UJ circlips - both .0615 and .0645 (for a couple of quid from Bill at Rarebits) I put her on axle stands and shimmied underneath to take a look at the offending UJ. Having read Bill's hints and tips, I knew which UJ was causing the knocking.
One opposing pair of circlips was slightly lose, I could see that they had moved against the cup - not much but and indication they weren't tight enough, and I'd read in Bill's hints that they need to be tight. I removed the circlip and was able to get a .0615 in straight away.
I tried the .0645s to no avail but wondered that if I gently tapped the cup in a bit, they might fit. Sure enough they did.
I was left wondering if I'd done the right thing, but I knew that I'd only tapped the cups gently so couldn't really have damaged anything. And besides, it was done now.
A quick test revealed the dammed tick tick tick on overrun on left hand corners had gone. I refused to believe it as I've suffered with this for more years than I care to remember, having replaced the whole drivetrain from the gearbox backward (including recon replacement driveshafts from a very reputable Triumph trader)
I've had a couple of runs since and the noise really has gone, our run to the Goodwood Revival at the weekend will provide final confirmation but I'm optimistic.
My experience concurs that driveshaft UJs need to be tight. The solution is cheap, easy and quick - thanks to Bill at Rarebits.

Jez

Mark Slater

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:09:26 +0000

I have a Spitfire 1500 with overdrive gearbox. The gear lever is very sloppy and is difficult to engage gears. Any ideas as to what could be a possible cause?

Prop shaft balance Herald 13/60

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 17:35:51 +0000

Is it possible or even necessary to balance the prop shaft / half shafts?

I replaced the diff when I first got the car, which cured a major vibration issue. However, above 45mph there is still an annoying vibration. Can push through this at about 55/60mph, but don’t like stressing the engine to that degree.

Is it simply a matter of turning the propshaft one bolt at a time to see if the vibration goes away?

Richard

Gearbox problem

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 13:57:20 +0000

Hi all

My Spitfire mk3 refuses to go into 2nd gear. It feels like it is totally blocked. Is it possible that a worn gear linkage could cause this?

I know the syncro can wear out, particularly in 2nd, but it won't have it even when trying to match the revs.

I'm thinking of trying a linkage kit before before buying a recon box.

Thanks

Spitfire 1500 halfshaft/diff flanges

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:37:12 +0000

I am replacing the worn halfshaft UJs on my Triumph Spitfire 1500. Having made good progress disconnecting the rear hub assembly from the suspension/brakes etc and removing the 4 diff bolts, the halfshaft/diff flanges seem to be corroded together.

I have given them a few taps with a screwdriver and hammer but no signs of movement. I have stopped for a cup of tea and wondered if anyone can give any tips on how to proceed before I do any damage.

Thanks in advance. 🤞

Big Gearbox Clutch Fork

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:45:00 +0000

Are the Forks the same for the 2000/2.5, TR5/6 & Stag?

2000/2.5 range fork 140937 has smaller pins and uses slipper blocks

Stag TR5/6 fork 106022 has bigger pins direct into the bearing carrier

Are the part numbers different to discriminate between the pins and are the forks interchangeble?

I have a couple of forks here one for Saloon and one for Stag, but both have a casting number of 105999

New Spitfire Blues

Mon, 12 May 2025 20:03:32 +0000

Hi all.

I'm new to this forum and owning a triumph car. I have just bought a 1976 Spitfire 1500. Despite the promises of the last owner 'she needs for nothing and is ready to go'. It turns out she not so ready. I have two very annoying problems.

1: After driving for about 30 mins the overdrive stops responding and stays engauged even in 1st, 2rd and I think reverse. I found that leaving it stand for a while and it will release.

Never worked on a OD before but after a internet search thought I'd try the following.

I removed the cover and cleaned out the pump, pressure relief valve, and replaced the filter and O rings. I had to make a tool to undo the caps as someone had strong armed them on.

This has made no difference at all. I'm going try clean the solenoid next as I didn't do it before. Also when I filled the gearbox up I couldn't get the full 1.5lt in. I did run it in gear to get the old around the OD but still had about 400ml to add, but oil was pouring from the fill plug still.

At a loss what to do next?

2: it randomly will not start as if the battery is flat. I'm guessing this was a problem for him as it has a massive new battery in it and a high torque starter from RimmerBs. I have cleaned all the earths and + terminals. The other day it was cranking very slow, I put my multimeter on it and the battery was resting at 12.9v which seems high to me. Surely enough to start that little 1500. Jump leads don't help. Its done it when hot and on first start up. Ive got a new lucus solenoid on the way.

Are these high torque starters any good? It looks like cheep Chinese rubbish to me but £285 on RimBs

Any help much appreciated

Dicky O

Overdrive solenoid leaking oil.

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 19:46:06 +0000

Hi,

Was testing a rebuild spit 1500 with J-type on my testbench.

Noticed oil slowly coming out of the rear soenoid body.

Does this mean the solenoid plunger/piston o-rings failed ?

Solenoid was on my car for +230.000kms and was dry & troublefree.

Herald clutch not operating- advice required!

Sat, 12 Apr 2025 18:33:59 +0000

I'm hoping for a bit of help diagnosing a clutch fault with my Moss Malvern kit car (Herald based) which has been off the road for many months. I moved the car last week and it was a bit reluctant to go into first gear. This week I found the clutch pedal was rock hard, as though seized, but a (careful) shove with the left foot got it moving. It has however, stayed down. Looking at it in the footwell, I can see that it's stuck at about 3/4 of it's travel towards the floor. The pedal can be pulled back up by hand with no resistance. With the engine running it's not possible to get it in gear at all, so the clutch isn't disengaged.

Is it likely to be the master or slave cylinder, or the clutch itself? The fluid in the reservoir looks clean and is sitting at the normal level. Any thoughts much appreciated! Many thanks.

Overdrive.

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 22:45:54 +0000

Bought a T2000tc recently with no working J/Type o/d, the solenoid was seized solid so bought a new one, replaced the gearbox oil and cleaned the filters, I havn't road tested the car yet but I can hear the solenoid working when the car is in 4th gear but not when it's in 3rd I know there is a 3rd/4th inhibitor but is this likely to be the problem as I'm not sure that I can remove it in situ.

Cheers Steve.

Clutch slave cylinder travel (big gearbox)

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 09:16:11 +0000

Could someone confirm please how much travel is given when the clutch pedal is pressed?

This is on a Stag, but 2000/2.5/Sprint/TR is all the same. I know there are 3 holes in the cross-shaft lever arm. At present the slave-cylinder push rod is moving about 5/8" (or 16mm in new fangled terms)

I have just changed the Stag clutch. It was working ok beforehand, but is now not co-operating. I would appreciate some information before I take the box out again!

Spit MkIV Differential Pinion height

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 09:28:55 +0000

Hi all,

I've finally got round to stripping the original diff that came with my car. Never rebuilt one before but where's the fun in not trying!

All going fairly smoothly so now attempting to get the target pinion height of 3.000". Car came with a 0.084" adjustment shim just under the pinion head gear. The head gear appears to measure the seemingly usual 1.119" and careful measuring distance down to the top of the pinion gear head plus this gives 3.022". My conclusion is that an extra shim of 0.020" would raise the pinion head a tad more and take me to a distance of 3.002" which is close enough (?)

All the available shims for the pinion head adjustment seem to be from around 0.07 to 0.09 somethings.

Can anyone confirm if 2 of these will do the job?? https://www.scparts.co.uk/en/adjusting-shim/316583/ please?

Thanks in advance peeps :)

Rog.

2000 MK1 wheel and tyre size

Sat, 15 Mar 2025 14:08:44 +0000

Hi, I read online that the original wheel/tyre size for a MK1 2.5 Pi was a 4.5j x 13" wheel fitted with a 185-13 tyre. Does anyone know if this correct as that seems to be a wide tyre for a 4 1/2" wheel?

The MK1 2000 is listed as having the same size wheel but with a 6.5" x 13" crossply which is the same width as a 165 x 13