15 replies to this topic

[scoobyvan]

Hello, I'm working on my friends 1972 Morris Mini and I can't seem to get it into reverse. He bought the car about 5 years ago from New Zealand and it has been sitting ever since. I rebuilt the clutch master and clutch slave and also installed an adjustable pushrod from the slave to the clutch fork. I have the clutch working properly now, and can shift easily into all the forward gears but I cannot get it into reverse. I've tried lifting up and pushing down on the stick shift to no avail. I'm a mechanic by trade, but have never worked on an english car. I'm hoping it is something in the shift linkage or external of the gearbox. I'm not willing to pull the motor etc.. Does anyone know if this is a common problem with the mini, and can point me in the right direction? Note: it is right hand drive and the knob on the stick indicates reverse is all the way to the right and down. Thank you for any help in advance. Herb Wederman : )

Edited by scoobyvan, 14 November 2008 - 12:03 AM.

[Guess-Works.com]

Look under the car, and see what type of gearchange it is....

If it has an exposed rod, then it's a rod change, if it has a long aluminium case from the box to the gearstick then it's a remote..

Once that is known then may have a better idea of the problem.

[998dave]

in neutral all the way to the right then lift the gearknob up, which should pull up the whole gearstick, and it should be able to go further right, then down.

Is the gearstick going into location and just not finding reverse, or will it not go into location?

Guessworks - above - is our local gearbox whizz.

Dave

[scoobyvan]

in neutral all the way to the right then lift the gearknob up, which should pull up the whole gearstick, and it should be able to go further right, then down.

Is the gearstick going into location and just not finding reverse, or will it not go into location?

Guessworks - above - is our local gearbox whizz.

Dave

Hello Dave, It won't go into the location. I can only shift the "H" pattern. When in neutral, I move stick all the way to the right and then down, it goes into 4th, I can't force it any further over to where I assume reverse would be. I also tried pulling up on stick and it doesn't budge at all. I'm going to remove the shift boot tomorrow and also jack it up and have a look around. I'm hoping it's something to do with the linkage. Do all the minis require lifting up on the stick to get it into reverse? thanks, Herb

[Guess-Works.com]

Do all the minis require lifting up on the stick to get it into reverse?

No they don't hence my first question, is it a rod or remote change.

[scoobyvan]

Do all the minis require lifting up on the stick to get it into reverse?

No they don't hence my first question, is it a rod or remote change.

Dave it looks like the remote change type. It is an aluminum housing. I removed the shifter boot and the two screws that hold the shifter in, also removed the round rubber plug on the side. Can't see anything loose or wrong. The little plastic thing is intact on the end of the stick etc. I assume the problem resides in the gear box itself? herb

[Guess-Works.com]

It's probably the plunger which is stuck, if you look on the front of the box there is a big hex bolt ( or a reverse switch ).

Remove this and then remove the spring and detent...

With that removed, can you select reverse ?

If you can then replace detent, spring and bolt/reverse switch, and try again.

[scoobyvan]

It's probably the plunger which is stuck, if you look on the front of the box there is a big hex bolt ( or a reverse switch ).

Remove this and then remove the spring and detent...

With that removed, can you select reverse ?

If you can then replace detent, spring and bolt/reverse switch, and try again.

Removed hex bolt located on the front of the gear box below oil filter, removed spring and detent. Still can't shift into reverse. Did I remove the correct detent? If so, now what? thank you for your help. herb w.

[TrialsLife]

Not sure if this is any help. I have a remote type gearbox, to get mine into reverse I don't lift it up or push it down.

When it is in neutral, I simply hit/tap it with the palm of my hand into reverse. Only way it seems to want to go in.

[scoobyvan]

Not sure if this is any help. I have a remote type gearbox, to get mine into reverse I don't lift it up or push it down.

When it is in neutral, I simply hit/tap it with the palm of my hand into reverse. Only way it seems to want to go in.

I'm tempted to slip a pipe over the shift handle and force it all the way over to the right LOL!!! I've tried bumping it etc, and it simply won't go all the way over. I move it as far as it will go to the right and then move it down and it goes into 4th gear.

[Guess-Works.com]

If it's not that detent, then it's the other at the other end of the box...

Unfortunately this is gearbox out to remedy...

There is an oil lubrication hole above the spring, near the input gear.. This may have been clogged with some debris which is preventing the spring from compressing. Only way I've freed this is with some air and a sharp tap on the other end of the selector rod.

[scoobyvan]

If it's not that detent, then it's the other at the other end of the box...

Unfortunately this is gearbox out to remedy...

There is an oil lubrication hole above the spring, near the input gear.. This may have been clogged with some debris which is preventing the spring from compressing. Only way I've freed this is with some air and a sharp tap on the other end of the selector rod.

When you refer to the selector rod, do you mean: shift rail? Which goes thru the shift fork? (different terminology). It almost feels like a "interlock" problem. (prevents shifting into two gears at the same time). When you refer to debris, would that be metal shavings etc from the engine? I haven't changed the oil yet. (Won't if buddy wants to sell the car), but I did loosen the drain plug and the "oil" is like sludge, very thing and nasty looking. Do you thing an oil change would help free up stuck spring you mentioned? There is nothing else I can do short of pulling motor? thanks again, herb w. : )

[Guess-Works.com]

If the oil's as bad as you say, then i'd be tempted to pull the engine anyway....

[scoobyvan]

If the oil's as bad as you say, then i'd be tempted to pull the engine anyway....

We are really just trying to get the car drivable to sell.

[Guess-Works.com]

Can you not move the stick over into the reverse gate, so basically it only has the "H" pattern ?