Gear lever stuck in reverse and no drive

[CV35Ian]

Been using Stag as daily since early Sept with no issues bar having to reproof roof twice - living outside in Armageddon rain for over a month does test the soft top. Today I've done 40 odd miles, parked car, came back and put it into reverse and no drive, gear lever also won't budge... Not got most of my tools with me so can't release the bit that holds gear lever down. Awaiting recovery truck from private carpark where they are not best pleased I'm here for a while longer than anticipated....
Any ideas, is it likely to be a quick fix for me or garage.
And its peeing down with rain now.
Ian

[marshman]

Do a search on here for "stuck in gear" or similar. Most likely cause is a missing reverse gear interlock plunger. It might be possible to lift out the gear lever and move the individual selector rods to get them all lined up again. Until you remove the top of the box a replace/sort out the interlock plunger you have to be careful to make sure that you have put the car into neutral before selecting reverse or it will happen again - it is a fairly common fault on the manual box. Means removing the gearbox unless you fancy cutting a big hole in the top of the transmission tunnel.

[CV35Ian]

Thanks for that, Recovery chap due in 30 minsso I'll have a look when it's at garage if still light.
Still raining!!

[CV35Ian]

So gear lever finally came off, it then got a bit dark so we will play with it tomorrow - all good fun!
Engine running nicely though.
Ian

[CV35Ian]

OK so we used reasonable force on the selector bits that stop you selecting two gears but it won't budge out of reverse..... Just thinking over last couple of weeks occasionally I have needed two attempts to select reverse.
So definitely gearbox out?
Ian

[flying farmer]

The normal problem is that it locks in two gears at once which locks the transmission solid and stalls the engine if you try to engage the clutch. Also means it can't be towed without the rear wheels being off the ground.
From your description it sounds like you have a situation where there is no drive despite the gear lever being in reverse.
If this is the case it sounds like something has broken in the selector mechanism.

[CV35Ian]

OK so I have been given access to a ramp and the Car is up in the air now, have removed exhaust front sections, disconnected various bits from gearbox and disconnected prop. Tomorrow I will attempt to remove gearbox using the Haynes Manual that makes it all sound so easy..............................plan is to then remove top cover and see whats what. Should be fun albeit banking my head on sump was inadvisable to say the least!

[CV35Ian]

So most bits sorted re removal, what the manuals don't say is you need to dislocate all fingers and arm joints to get to the top bolts as they spin once the nuts are loosened - hour and a half to undo bolt with easiest access!!
Great afternoon ahead!!

[flying farmer]

Just wait until you try and get the nuts back on the bolts again
Take a bag of 20 nuts and drop them all on the floor without getting more than one on a bolt, then repeat, again and again and again.............

That is why I always tap the top holes of the adapter plate with a UNC thread then buy a set of stainless exhaust manifold bolts which happen to fit perfectly. Takes minutes rather than hours to fit the top half dozen bolts using long extension bars and universal joints on the socket.
I have done all 4 of my cars like this

Neil

[CV35Ian]

Yes, dreading reassembly!!!
All the top 6 bolts done, we ended up removing the gearbox cross member that allowed better access to top bolts, wedged spanner on nuts and used 3ft of extensions plus uj socket.
Bottom bolts tomorrow then hopefully we can see what the problem is.....
Might just do the tap and bolt only thing.

[Goldstar]

You can also weld a thin flat plate across 2 bolt heads at the right distance so they can’t move once you pop them in the holes. Not my idea - nicked from Steve Stagdad.

[CV35Ian]

So
Box out, and cover off. All looks OK bar reverse missing some teeth on rear edge!
Remote seems to work OK so I recon gearbox refurb, anyone know who in Midlands is a good bet for this. Or should I just buy a recon one.
Ian

[LAMBRETTLAD]

There is a chap in coventry why specialises in triumph gearbox's ,never used him and he attends all the stonleigh shows ,ill try to find his card

[CV35Ian]

There is a chap in coventry why specialises in triumph gearbox's ,never used him and he attends all the stonleigh shows ,ill try to find his card

Thanks, that would be great.

Ian

[022Dave]

Hello Ian,

Try Clive Tate or Russell Lewis; they have a pet gearbox refurbisher for their ZF kits. Their details are in the front of the magazine (Evesham area).

Dave