MG Car Repair: 1979 Midget, clutch release, hub assembly

Question
I have a first gear synchronizer failure. The other gears work as they should and I want to repair only the problem. What replacement part do you feel are essential aside from the synchronizer and hub?

Answer
Hi RL,
The hub assembly is not usually damaged when a syncro goes out. The only reason a hub assembly would need replacing is when the engage spline gets worn to a point that it jumps out of gear.
Also many times a syncro gets blamed for a clutch release problem. A long term use of a syncro to stop the first motion shaft each time 1st gear is engaged from neutral because of bad driver habit of trying to engage 1st gear from neutral while the engine is at fast idle will cause a syncro to ware out early. Another factor is the use of heavy grade oil in the gearbox.
Do this before you condemn 1st gear syncro, first change the trans oil to engine oil and drive the car for a few days. Then be sure the idle is down before engaging 1st from neutral and hold the clutch to the floor for at least 10 sec before engaging 1st from neutral. Next try this, when in neutral confirm low idle and hold the clutch down and put the car in 2nd gear first, then put it in 1st and on level ground and your foot off of the brake does the car creep any? If so you have a clutch release problem and it probably contributed to the warn syncro.

If you decide to go into the gearbox and replace the syncro the only way you can buy any parts before you open it up is to guess and no one on earth can tell you what you will find that you need. The only thing I can tell you is that it is not usual to need a hub assembly and it would be foolish to just put in one syncro. The only thing you can say for sure is syncros, gaskets and seals.
Howard