alecrb Aug 18, 2014 5:19 pm
Subject: 3rd gear noise

While I'm going through my gearbox (ZE) I'm also looking for any reasons why third gear should be as noisy as it is. Since the Z box was later updated with a "silent third" modification, I am guessing that third was always noisy! I'd appreciate any comments on this topic.
Alec

Colin M34 Aug 19, 2014 1:00 pm
Subject: Re: 3rd gear noise

Hi Alec,

I have a ZE box on my 16/80 drophead and third gear is noisy as well! However it is not as noisy as the 3rd gear on my HC 2 Litre which howls!

I take your point about the "silent third" on the later Z boxes but may I suggest that after the limited sales of the Maybach selector box on 3 litres, Lagonda pushed the Wilson pre selector box? As well as Rapiers and 16/80s, it could also be had on a 3 litre chassis. Perhaps they kept the noisy ZE third so they could push pre selector boxes so they made a little extra profit on the extra cost to customers who complained,

Of course the Wilson box brought its own challenges and maybe some people still wanted a regular box which is why they set about improving the Z box with a slient third.

The Meadows box is quieter.

Colin

alecrb Aug 21, 2014 7:07 am
Subject: Re: 3rd gear noise

Finished up redoing my gear lever - very happy with the results. I made the new reverse lever & pawl, rod, rod ends and screws out of stainless (the old ones were too pitted to easily salvage).
Alec
Attachments:
gearlever old.jpg (Filesize: 102.28 KB)
gear lever 2014.jpg (Filesize: 118.91 KB)

bruffsup Aug 22, 2014 12:46 am
Subject: Re: 3rd gear noise

Nice work Alec. It looks great !