[Dave Mills]

Thanks Clive and David, it is disappointing but this happens at times. I am using a 40W-70 Mineral oil in the gear box. I believe that if I had concerns with the drive/suspension stations the noise would be able to be pin pointed and I would have it at a greater range of speeds. The noise was evident from the first drive and will come into play very quickly once you hit the speed and rev range. All other times it is as quite as can be, if the noise starts and you hit a bump it may stop or can even start, I have driven the vehicle with the front tail shaft removed and no difference likewise it will occur in 4WD or 2WD.

The only thing I can think of now is the 2nd / 3rd syncro cluster and the small internal teeth which engage 3rd gear may just be grabbing due to wear?????they of course are all covered and no way to visually check them apart from a total disassembly.

It almost sounds as if the 1st / Rev gear is grinding into the casing due to shaft alignment problems, no evidence of this occurring. In saying this the gear box is as smooth as silk turning by hand and the clearances all look fine.

I will slip another gearbox in, I may have different noises from using another one but if it fixes the noise I then know for sure. A game of trial and error and once you get the hang of it the gearbox is pretty straight forward to remove and replace.

A Humber owner once said to me that to fix a Humber it only takes "Time and Money".

Will keep you informed.

Cheers,

Dave.