Main Gear Box siezed?
Posted by John Roberts on June 25, 2000 at 12:08:07:
I have a problem with my Series III lightweight and I wonder if anyone can help!!
I was overrunning down a green lane in low box, first gear and met someone coming up the hill, I pulled over to the side and, with the engine running and in neutral we had a short chat. Once they had passed I made to reverse back onto the lane, moved a little and everything siezed.
The engine ticked over normally but when I raised the clutch a load was taken up but there was no attempt for the wheels to move. I could move neither the gear stick, nor the high/low lever.
The vehicle was locked in 4wd and would not move forward or backwards. Eventually I was yanked back towards the track and although there was no joy on the first two impacts the third one freed everything and I was able to reverse out under my own power.
A little further down the track, this time in 2wd second gear everything siezed again but the vehicle would roll when the clutch was depressed.
I drove the vehicle as little as possible and it felt as though I were driving against the handbrake.
Inspection over the pit revealed plenty of oil in both the gear and transfer boxes but thin shards of metal in the bottom of the main gearbox.
With a wheel off the ground it cannot turn even though both boxes are in neutral and the clutch depressed. Playing with the levers at random and forcing the wheel, I feel sure, will free the wheel and allow me to find neutral. Drive from the other end is taken up, with no sign of the wheel moving, both boxes in neutral still, when the clutch is released.
