Struggle to find 1st after gear refurb

[Bryce]

just got back from my first proper run out after having whole new gear lever and the linkage refurb.

It started great but then I found it really hard to find first, it feels like it goes in but is actually neutral or 3rd which is interesting pulling out from junctions!

All other gears seem fine however I have also noticed that when I depress the stick to go into reverse it doesn't pop back out and into neutral so I have to manually lift the stick or it gets stuck in reverse.

I'm thinking the above problem will be linked to the missing 1st gear?

With the engine off it seem to find first easily and I have checked the clamp for movement just behind fuel tank which seems to be common reason for selection issues.

Spent last night trawling through the wiki and watching vids on linkage refurb but couldn't find anything relating to what makes the stick pop back up and into neutral after taking it out of reverse.

I'm guessing it's a slipped spring that is causing the shifter to not pop back up out of reverse? . Is it the spring with ball bearing that goes shooting out on the refurb threads?

Sorry the whole wall of text!

Any help would be great and can post any photos that might help

Cheers

[multisi]

Could be the rods are not in the correct position, loosen the big clamp and twist the rear rod slightly. Is it 4 or 5 speed ?

[Bryce]

That one? It's a five speed. I've dropped the spare wheel and had a quick look at the fork and it seems OK same a guide blocks but I just can't work out what part is meant to spring it out of reverse.

I'm assuming the problem is linked to the above although I can select all gears easily when engine off

[maxstu]

Under rubber boot. Make sure alignment is correct.
Page 34.12 Bentley.

[Bryce]

Cheers! So im assuming it would have to be one of the two springs pictured which is responsible for pushing the stick back up after pushing down on it?



Problem is I'm on my own so anything to do resetting position will be a nightmare (although read somewhere you can tie bungies to keep it in neutral) can the springs be reached without having to re set the position?

[maxstu]

That reads four speed syncro? Is that correct? You mention five speed earlier?
Do you know the code for your gearbox?

[Bryce]

Hah so it is! I'm pretty confident I've got a five speed I was just trying to find a diagram with the different springs to try and sort that and then see if that somehow miraculously fixed issue with first.

Think the gearbox is a 3h but i forgot my sandpaper!

[Bryce]

If this is the spring responsible for pushing it back up can I just undo grub screw and move collar down and so give the spring a bit more power?

[Aidan]

spring should sit on those little tabs on the white split collar; probably worth getting a new ball complete
the gearstick detent plunger and spring set up is probably suffering from a split boot and some dirty hard lube, all the parts required to refurbish the stick are available from Brickwerks

[Bryce]

spring should sit on those little tabs on the white split collar; probably worth getting a new ball complete
the gearstick detent plunger and spring set up is probably suffering from a split boot and some dirty hard lube, all the parts required to refurbish the stick are available from Brickwerks

Interesting you should say that! i had it all done about 6 weeks ago by a garage. Changed the stick itself and done a refurb all along the linkage.

Is possible to just re seat the spring with screw driver?

[Bryce]

So I managed to re seat the spring and everything felt good on the driveway (a huge slope) so reversed it out fine.

Got on the road and I seem to have lost everything apart from 2nd and reverse so I'm guessing a full re set is in order? Might have to get full use of my unlimited tows to get it back to garage unless anyone has any suggestion?

Cheers

[Stesaw]

I mean if the garage did the work and it isn't done right take it back, but be polite about it.

[Bryce]

Cheers, yeh I already spoke to garage who are really good, and he said it's fine to take back but booked solid till end of week and the wife wanted her first solo trip in it on Fri.

Was hoping it would be simple fix that I could of sorted myself. Will give a update when I find out what went wrong!

[Stesaw]

Could just be the shift rods needs adjustment.. but I wouldn't mess with and let the garage sort it. You might find some youtube videos on it maybe? I think James Akers has one on linkage refurb if I recall.

[Bryce]

Cheers, I watched a few and read the 2 part wiki last night but think it's probs best to to take it back as they will know what they changed originally.

Problem is it's about 15 mile journey down a motorway! will see if rac will class it as breakdown and tow it for me as don't fancy tying it in 2nd ha.