Hey guys,

I am afraid about my R11's gearbox - recently it started to work louder I can hear some cracks and wheezing coming from it. When I decided to change the oil, the old one was silver-green with full of metal pieces dispersed.

Should I look for a new JB1?

Artur

Yes-- It is not unusual for a JB Box to EXPLODE!!!

6 Years ago, I was in a R-11 when my friend asked me to help him with the noise he was hearing-- well, it was NOISY ALL RIGHT and we went about 3 miles to a parking lot-- by that time it would not shift anymore--

then heard a BOOM, and when I looked behind me I could see a fresh trail of something leaking-- by the time we stopped the car and looked for the leak-- we could see trans fluid all over the ground, and some parts of the trans housing at the other end of the parking lot!!!
He had about 100,000 miles on his little 1.4, and I think it was a 1984 model,, I am sure that my friend did "not" check or change the trans fluid in the life of the car-- and perhaps this is the reason Metal to Metal grinding caused the JB-0 Box to fail and crack, but I do know of 2 of JB-03 boxes that had failed too because someone DID abuse it,, ( like shifting with out using the clutch pedal) and left the gear boxes totally broken...

I did buy a R-11 ,2 years ago, and the old owner did tell me that the 5 Speed Box only had reverse and second gear-- but I thought I could drive it home.... NOT!!!
I went about 10 Feet in Foreward and the noise was so bad I had to shut off the motor and roll the car into a place so I could change the trans... that was the Loudest noise I have ever heard from a trans before with a broken set of gears, and it was Horrible (screatching LOUD !!!!)...

I cannott say that the insides of the JB boxes are weak, but if you subject it to some Heavy shifting and neglect will lead to some Metal- Metal contact-- and that is surely not good....

I never operate anything without a Parts car, and was able to put in a JB-03 into the little 1.4 that had been into an accident and had over 100,000 miles on it-- That trans turned out to be a winner, because I broke 2 shifters on it, but the trans itself was very good shifting, no gear grinding, and very quiet for it's recycled life...

So I ask you Artur-- DO YOU HAVE A PARTS CAR WITH A GOOD SPARE TRANS????

I do, and have more than one to choose from....
Joe in USA

Hello Joe!

Unfortunately I do not have any sparts car, and I currently cannot afford even a recycled gearbox - the cost of a JB1 at the scrapyard is around $100 - 120, additionally the clutch plates are worn, so I guess tha final cost of repairs would much higher (I don't know how to change the gearbox on my own, so will have to pay for the service work, too - another $100).
The transmission started to leak, so I'm afraid it's gonna become unoperational VERY soon. I have fixed the silencers, so the noise coming from the gearbox seems to be louder (or perhaps it is...)
So my cute little Rennie requires lots of money to be spent on it... and the worst problem is.. that I currently can't afford neither repairs nor sparts.
buuu.

Artur.