4th wont disengage?

[wee bugger]

Hi there,

1.6d with 4 speed box - when in 4th gear, i cant disengage gear, well it will eventually after multiple attempts at gear stick, but this is usually after i have to stop, rather than change down . All other gears fine, and selects fine.
Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Aidan]

3rd 4th synchro hub breaking up, common failure point; to confirm remove the linkage at the gearbox and then try selecting 3rd and 4th gears (that's just forward for 3rd and back for 4th where the ball naturally detents to) it should be easy to swap between the gears if not then it's the box.
Check the ball hasn't ridden up it's metal piece whilst apart as if it has (again common) then the metal bit sticking out of the ball at the bottom can foul the cup and cause gear selection issues, but normally all gears affected rather than just 3rd or 4th

[wee bugger]

Cheers Aidan...strangely whilst i understood nothing you said, it still makes sense (is that possible?). Gonna head under the van later this week, better armed with this knowledge and some diagrams i have, and have a better look, (and off to research these strange words you use )

[Plasticman]

ten quid, fiver , money, coin, all also strange words to a man north of the border
m

[wee bugger]

no...I know them well...i've had the same ones for nearly 40 years...even still have all my pound notes

[wee bugger]

Finally got round to getting this fixed (van was off road for 6 months) spot on diagnosis, Aidan also supplied some parts, and spoke direct to my mechanic to ensure that the correct items were supplied - fantastic service