Getting stuck in second and reverse - gearbox or linkage?

[fodtommo]

Hi all

On this weekends trip to st davids, the van developed a problem with getting out of reverse and second gears.

Its a 5spd dog leg box.

I can select both gears no probs, but getting out requires a massive heave on the gearstick (which as a solid bar welded in to avoid it snapping again!)

However along my travels i notice that this only happens when stationary, if you are driving normally it slips in and out of second no probs (mostly). If you pull it out of reverse whilst still moving backwards its not perfect but does 'fall out ' OK without hanging on the gearbox

Any Ideas, I can see any issues on the linkage bushes, but I havnt dropped the spare wheel to get at the box.

Reverse is a real pain with parallel parking etc.

It was an instant development rather than gradual, and as its my daily driver and its camping season big time i want to sort it...

Big thanks for any help in advance

PS... praying its not a gearbox out / strip job

[fodtommo]

Ahhh now Ive had a really good trawl through the forum, and found some articles I think the issue could be clutch drag... Ive noticed for a while now that the clutch has to be right down as soon as you lift your foot a tiny bit you can feel it dragging, I repaired the metal pipe earlier this year, so will give it another bleed, failing that replace the slave cylinder.

However the only thing is, it seems also to do it when the engine is off... which I wouldnt suspect to be affected by the clutch?

Thanks for any thoughts!

[CovKid]

Clutch functions as a clutch whether engine is running or not.

[fodtommo]

Thanks Cov Kid!... but if the engine is not running it has no drive motion to separate, you should be able to change without the clutch when stationary and the engine off surely?

[mrdp]

Hi, I have had this and it ended up being a faulty slave cylinder and don't ask me why ..but with the engine running it was a cow to get into and out of gear .with the engine off not a problem . I have had no issues since I changed the slave cylinder about a year or so back. By the way I'm still using the awning you sold me Good luck, I'll keep an eye on your posts to see how you get on Cheers Dan.

[fodtommo]

Hi Dan!!

Glad to hear your still using it!... kind of regretted it selling it

Van is rebuilt and resprayed... a bit tidier than when you saw it

Interesting to hear you had the same issue, but the difference is when the vehicle is moving they go in and out fine but when stopped it wont come out of reverse or second?

Anyway... hoping it is a clutch cylinder / bleed issue... tonight is round 1 investigations... and I will let you know.

[adseipsum]

In 5spd gearbox 1-st and backward gears uses same coupling, so probably you should replace it. Friend of mine had same issue couple days before.

[fodtommo]

In 5spd gearbox 1-st and backward gears uses same coupling, so probably you should replace it. Friend of mine had same issue couple days before.

What 'coupling' are you referring to?

to be clear this issue is with reverse and 2nd.

[fodtommo]

to be clear this issue is with reverse and 2nd.

Ahem I have just realised I titled this thread incorrectly and put that it was stuck in first and reverse... not second and reverse

apologies everyone, I am a class one donut

[fodtommo]

Right - sorted, it appears to be the nylon ball on the rear linkage and wear in the bush at the back of the linkage

If you push the 'cup' up and the ball down it slides in and out of gear no probs!

Hopefully this will sort it!!

ill confirm when ive done it!