I just completed a clutch job. I thought my rear axle was next but as I looked at the issue again with slack in my driveshaft when I let off the gas my suspicion has led me back to the M46 tranny. When the transmission is in gear I can move the output shaft by twisting it. Its stable when pushing it up or side to side but when twisted it moves and makes a clicking clatter inside the transmission. I believe this is my problem.

After just reinstalling the transmission and not wanting to have to do anymore than is required I have hope that the gear box can be unbolted and a replacement bolted back into place with out having to remove the bell housing. Is this wishful thinking.

I was looking through the archives and this picture makes me believe it may be possible. Seeing that the throw out bearing on my 83 had clips that held it to the fork.

http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=994465&msg=


Tomorrow I will remove the driveshaft from a parts car to see if the same movement is happening with its m46. But since the two cars are 10 miles apart and transporting the replacement is going to require some lifting on and off a jack I was hoping to just unbolt the gearbox/OD.

Call me crazy but I'm worn out with transmissions at the moment. I still have some rear calipers to replace on my daily driver before the freeze locks them up.