sound of 2nd gear?

[Benson]

My Coupe was very noisy in 2nd gear after first rebuild.

Steve Becker at Bert's said it was the loudest 2nd gear that he had ever heard in 30+ years.

On first rebuild: 1st, second and cluster gears were NEW MARK gears.

New input and output bearings.

Pilot bearing was tight in the new main drive gear shaft.

About 8,000 miles on rebuild.

On the first rebuild I looked at the three rollers and found NO pits in the rollers and called them good ... so I reused them.

After I took it apart the 2nd time I found one roller bearing inside the cluster was destroyed as mentioned here.

1. You can see where the roller tips are almost completely worn off the surviving needle bearings (that is the tips are very small).

2. And the round holes in bearing cages on both ends of both rollers inside the cluster are badly worn (enlarged).

Pieces of the damaged roller cage are in bottom of case.

The Main drive gear roller shows similar wear but not as bad.

Also the new Mark 2nd and cluster shows excessive galling on the 2nd gear surfaces of both gears.

From now on I will replace ALL bearings, especially the roller bearings ... even if no pits are seen.

DO NOT FORGET THE SPACER inside the cluster.

I think the noise started when the roller bearing inside cluster self- destructed. I drove car for over 5,000 (Mostly in town) with it making the noise.

I wonder why 1st gear and 1st cluster did not get damaged?

Maybe it was the 2nd gear end of cluster that was "flopping" around after the roller bearing fell apart.

Originally Posted by GordonJ

I had the same problem with my 29 when I first got it. I took it apart for a rebuild and found some wear on the gears, but the big problem was roller bearings that fell apart in my hand when I took it out. Several of the rollers were broken with pieces laying in the bottom. I was astounded at how quiet the transmission was after the rebuild.

[fiddlybits]

Hmmmmmmmmm
I think I see the noise. Nice smooth faces.

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by fiddlybits

Hmmmmmmmmm
I think I see the noise. Nice smooth faces.

I didn't see your photo reply until a few minutes ago so I edited my post.
Just as I had expected producing the growl. I would plan on doing a comprehensive rebuild and replacement of parts.

Larry

[SHEC]

Our '30 Deluxe Coupe is a stock all original second owner car. Since 1958, it has been in the family and was purchased by my Dad from the widowed 86 year old original owner. I have grown up with that distinct Ford sound of second pulling hard up the Northern California hills with the great signature "whine" - unique to A's and other Fords from that era.

At 65,007 original miles, second does make a bit more noise than first and third. I would miss it if it disappeared. I have always used 600 wt. gear lube as designed. I have heard several cars that have been mainly city driven with second getting a real workout - thus making noise to the point of distraction.

Have you compared your car with others in the area? A ride along might help determine if your A is average or exceptionally loud.

Good luck -

Be well -

SHEC

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Dog here,
Drain the trans, poke around in the hole with CHEEP Harbor Freight magonet. If no metal stuff there, DON'T WURRY ABOUT IT!
Every Dog has his OWN UNIQUE BARK
Buster T.

[fiddlybits]

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All new bearing pressed on to the nice new gears, waiting for paint to cure for final assembly in the morning..

[fiddlybits]

Hurray! Second gear does not whine anymore with the new gears.