Reverse gear selection problems

[halip66]

I've got a problem with my gearbox.

The van has a 1Y diesel engine with I believe a gearbox from an Aircooled engine. Went out earlier to put it on the drive & it wont go into reverse. The lever selects reverse ok by pressing it down but the van goes forwards. It looks like reverse has become first, second is now below & third is where first used to be etc...

I've had a look where the gear linkage joins the gearbox & all the gears seems to be doing something different, reverse seems to turn the gear linkage slightly.

I am worried, got a ferry booked to Ireland the day after tomorrow.... any help gratefully recieved.

Am I in the "pooh"?

[VWCamperfan]

Under the van, just behind the fuel tank, you will see where two seperate sections of the gear selection linkages come together. They are held together by a clamp and are prevented from moving when being used by having both halves splined. When pushed together and clamped they shouldn't move but it sounds like yours has.
To get reverse back, get under the van and locate this clamp. Before moving or loosening anything, mark the position of the two halves. The two halves can slide together, making the linkage shorter, or apart, making the linkage longer. They can also be rotated but the two halves have to be seperated, turned and then slid back together.
With yours the length seems to be correct so make a mark on the shaft so they can be put back together and not change the length of the linkage.
Make a mark on the two ends of the linkages so you can see when you rotate one of them ie. a line from one to the other.
Right, now to move them!! loosen the clamp, pull the two halves apart (may need a little giggling to do this!) and rotate the front half of the linkage slightly clockwise when viewed from the rear of the van. One or two splines of rotation are all that is needed. When done, slide the two halves back together to the first mark you made. This will ensure the length is kept the same. The second line you made should no longer be in line because you have rotated the front linkage slightly. Tighten the clamp and see what you have got!
Bit long winded I know (sorry) but it should become clearer when you have a look underneath!

[Plasticman]

As above, spot on and if all else fails can I have the tickets CHEAP
Sorry,
Its not a bad job but stressfull with leaving soon, better now than 1 hour away from the boat
mike

[halip66]

Fixed!

Thanks people, it was exaclty what you said.

It didn't take much effort to get the 2 parts of the linkage apart so it looks like it may have slipped. I may look at getting a new linkage when I get back off holiday as I suppose the splines must be pretty worn.

Thanks again!

[Plasticman]

I have in the past when completely happy with the set up drilled a small hole through the splined part and fitted a split pin
glad you got it done
mike

[HarryMann]

I may look at getting a new linkage when I get back off holiday as I suppose the splines must be pretty worn.

No they're shafts, one quite long.. just tighten up sufficiently well usually suffices, or as metalmick8y says, can try alt.locking methods.

the best reason for changing any of those shafts is their diameter at the bushings is worn and reduced (nom. 20mm) (so a new bush doesn't fully reduce the slop)