Reverse problems

[puffernutter]

This is a 1974 Mk2 with a manual box (and overdrive). A genuine 60k miles.

A couple of times now when I have engaged reverse the box has locked up on me and all I get is either a high forward gear or a total lock up (will stall the engine when the clutch is lifted) . Now strictly speaking it's not the gearbox but the selector. On both occasions I've removed the centre console trim around the gear lever, removed the actual lever itself, jiggled the selectors to a "neutral" position with screwdriver, reinserted the gear lever, put everything else back and all is well.

Now it has done this twice and on each occasion I am sure it was triggered by going into reverse.

Is this a common fault and is there anything I can do to prevent a recurrence (apart from only driving forwards!)?

It is obviously something not quite right between the interface of the tongue of the gear lever (if that's the right phrase!) and the three selector shaft it slots into.

I look forward to my next adventure with this wonderful classic car

Cheers

Peter

[Goldstar]

Peter I have a feeling there is a thread on this already where the owner had exactly the same issue and solution. I'm not at home now so I can't search as quickly as normal but if you have a search using engaging reverse as the search term, you might find it.

Paul

[Goldstar]

Found it http://www.stag.org.uk/forum/showthr...gaging+reverse

[puffernutter]

Thanks for that link. Two things of interest (or concern ):
1. Nobody has really come up with a solution (apart from being gentle with the box) or whether parts are accessible without having to remove the box; and (more worryingly)
2. One of the contributors to that thread is the previous owner of the car I'm driving

Cheers

Peter

[Motorsport Micky]

Puffernutter,

A little bit off the wall but you do have an overdrive gearbox and I wonder if the gearbox reverse gear inhibitor is sticking and if reverse is selected with the overdrive activated its trying to cramm the unidirectional clutch up it's own jacksey !

"all I get is either a high forward gear or a total lock up (will stall the engine when the clutch is lifted)" If it sorts itself when you mess about with the gearstick by removing (power then disconnected to to the overdrive and allowing it to disengage) is it possible it may give this syndrome ? Or have I been on the funny backy ?

Micky

[flying farmer]

Funnily enough I have had no more problems with the TR since I replaced the missing interlock plunger and balls in the top cover.
Then again I haven't had it MOT'd since I did it, can the MOT tester jam it four years in a row?

Neil

[Firept]

Peter.
As per Micky's comment above it may be worth a look at the O/D solenoid, I had the solenoid stick on and that locked up reverse fortunately I got away with it.
The pressure about 400psi I think can remain pressurised for some time after you stop so that may tie in with turning off the engine fiddling with the linkage by then the pressure has dropped and the solenoid has released its self enough to let go, its a simple one to check. check out buckyeye (http://buckeyetriumphs.org/technical/AOD/AOD1/AOD1.htm)
If you have the "A" type box then you can see if the solenoid is stuck in just by looking at the leaver on the side of the O/D housing.
Mine was caused by the solenoid plunger being rusty and covered in grunge once cleaned it was all fine ....however now the contacts have gone on the top and it wont pull in properly. some you win some you just keep working at.

Paul.