I had one years ago as a kid fall out of the differential end when driving aggressively around a roundabout, just pushed it back in and went on my way.

It's been a couple of weeks now...any word on what the problem was?

Hugh, don't you want to tell us how you really feel? 

I'd think the poster would have found out something by now. Of course with the unpleasant post we get here he may be reluctant to post back. Steve (CTR)

Go somewhere and die troll! You are not wanted here!

Yes, i agree,check the cv joint as what Dr Mini said, and check the driveshaft teeth, might be worn out too, good luck mate.

When it happened to me it was the CV joint at the hub. CV joints have a circular cupped out area where the balls reside. As you apply power the axle rotates along with the balls. Over time the perfectly round cup becomes oblong on the leading edge. At a certain amount of wear the balls (under power/stress) tend to pop out of the CV joint. Once that happens the axle spins freely in the CV joint but makes a lot of racket. Seems to happen most often on hard turns, but happened to me on a straight away. Speedometer still acts like you are moving even though you aren't.

For those of us yet to experience this 'axle/cv joint separation' can someone clarify if this is at the diff end or wheel end, and by cv joint, are you referring to a 'pot joint', please?
Also, it would be helpful to know in basic terms how it is repaired - can it be popped back together or are significant parts needed?

It does happen - Suzy did it on Tigger twice.

First time was slow speed on full lock reversing out of a parking space, second time was doing doughnuts in a muddy field...

I sure hope it is as simple as a CV/axle issue. I have been working on, owning and driving them coming up on 50 years and have never had this issue. The CV/ axle issue, so I'd not think of it myself. I'm sure when it happens if it ever does I'd catch it before pulling the power unit. Well I'd like to think I would. No intention to miss lead. Steve (CTR)

PS, Mal I sure hope you guys found high ground.

Probably a CV joint. I did have a pinion nut come loose on a gearbox i had re built before shipping here had the same effect but no grinding.

You have a bad brain... need replacement.

"lost power on a tight bend" is another clue

+1 for driveshaft coming out happened to me not so long ago .

It sure sounds like a driveshaft popped out of a CV joint, as Dr. mini suggested.

Tony/Robster/Specialist: wrong as always.

Are you sure it's the gearbox? I'd look at the CV joints first to see if that's what failed. Does the speedometer still register speed when you press on the throttle even though it's not moving? If so, it's the CV joints. Much easier and cheaper fix than transmission.

The late trannys ( DAM 5626 ) it seems were assembled with what ever was on the shelf. Three of the last five I have worked on have had serious large ball bearing issues. The plastic ball spacers break up and all the balls fall to one side allowing the main shaft to run off center. When it gets bad enough the gear teeth start popping off. The other issue all mini trannys suffer from is the diff. pin and spider gears. I have also had my share of broken spider gears and even the pins break apart. Either will end drive. Either issue can possibly trash the tranny case beyond reuse. I have had a couple of the DAM 5626 units that were so bad I was not comfortable reusing any parts to include the speedo drives. Steve (CTR)

You have a bad Syncro... need replacement

Hi people,

I just finished my mini 1992 Mini Cooper HIF44 restoration and got it through it's MOT

While driving home from the technical visit, my second gear clonked out and I lost drive (on a tight bend), finding no power, no drive and a nose of grinding coming from the gearbox... :-(

I can engage all the gears into their shifts, clutch pressure and clutch arm is moving correctly and hydraulic pressure is as usual, but when while in any gear engaged I release the clutch, all I get is a nose of grinding but no drive.

Obviously, I need to knock the engine out and trouble shoot my gearbox, but I was wondering if the forum could recommend where I should start looking and "trial & test" first?

I'm guessing that either my diff has gone or my crankshaft gear (woodruff key gave up) but asking for any other guesses?