25 replies to this topic

[Gulfclubby]

Anyone have an idea what the reason for this could be? Whenever I decelerate or motor break in either 2nd or 4th gear, there's a good change the gear will pop out into idle gear, which is very annoying.
Been pointed at it being the syncros not gripping properly, which would be an engine out job, obviously. Gearbox is newly restored, from an SPI engine, standard 4 gear box. 1st and 3rd gear work flawlessly.
Any ideas?

[Dan]

If the engine mounts or steadies are tired, the engine can move enough to pull itself out of gear. Especially if the gear selector steady rod or bracket are loose or broken.

[mini13]

the fact its doing it in 2nd and 4th points to engine mounts/steadys.

[Gulfclubby]

the fact its doing it in 2nd and 4th points to engine mounts/steadys.

Had that idea too, thing is, we have fitted two additional lower engine steadies left and right to the subframe. Selector rods are checked and ok too. Even added a washer to make the upper rod a tad longer so it would be harder for 2nd and 4th to be kicked out by the engine moving backwards. Didn't help...

[samsfern]

you could bungee strap it to the handbrake

[Gulfclubby]

you could bungee strap it to the handbrake

That would probably work, as holding the gearstick helps too, obviously. But bungeeing it back would probably make 1st and 3rd pop out, which would be just as bad. I'm looking for a permanent solution, really:)

[mini_mayhem]

^^^my sort of idea haha sometimes the worst are the best

[mini13]

have you sorted the top engine steady out? this will have far more effect than adding the bottom two.

also its worth removing the gear stick gaiter and seeing where the stick sits in relation to the hole in the body, I have seen the remote colut the body when the engine moves before and knock the engine out of gear.

[bmcecosse]

And who 'restored' the gearbox ?? Take it back to them and tell them to fix it!

[Darkscamp]

And who 'restored' the gearbox ?? Take it back to them and tell them to fix it!

Yes Sergeant Major General Sir, Right Away Sir!!!

[danny1]

it could be worn selctor forks. ive heard of this type of thing happening before

[Gulfclubby]

And who 'restored' the gearbox ?? Take it back to them and tell them to fix it!

Well, obviously, taking the engine out of the car, removing the gearbox and having it fixed is going to be the last thing I will try. Would be rather stupid to go for that and then find out that it was just the wrong length dogbone or somesuch.

As for the gearlever: We did look into this and even exchanged the whole selector housing and rod. Fitting a K&N quickshift hasn't helped either. The stick is moving freely and not bumping against the bodywork or the housing anywhere. If that was the problem, it would probably pop out of reverse, too, which is not the case.

Worn selector forks sounds interesting, although that would also mean taking the engine out. I will now try and exchange/loosen/tighten the engine stabilizers during the weekend and see, if that has any effect. If not, I guess we will find out once the gearbox is off...

Thanks for your replies so far.

[danny1]

hopefully you wont have to take your engine out and take it apart, but if you fancy a challenge i tuck my engine out replaced my gear box rebuilt it and put it all back in my car so i could drive home in a day

[jkjaxor]

ive got a similar problem that only happens on 2nd, i think it will be down to the syncros and selector forks, can you change gears "easily" or is it a bit trickyer in 2nd and 4th than 3rd?
jack

[bmcecosse]

The selector forks take no part in holding the gearbox in gear - once it's IN gear. Seriously - if you paid someone good money to 'restore' this gearbox - they haven't done a good job. Let THEM take it out - fix it - and then put it back in the car.