Gear selection issue

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by Robert Thomas, Jun 16, 2017.

  1. I've got the original 82000 mile old 6 rib box in my bus (2lt type 4) it's been absolutely fine up and down through the gears till now.
    I've had all bushes done about 2-3 years ago and the whole lot is still quite good however I'm experiencing real difficulties in selecting 2nd gear coming down the gears whilst traveling I.e. Approaching roundabouts etc where one might want to pull away in the correct gear without unnecessarily stopping.
    If I double the clutch old skool I can match revs and select from third to second but not if I don't, I have to come to a standstill then pull off.
    My question is is this adjustment or is the synchro going?



    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
  2. It's likely the lockout plate under the gear lever. Just needs moving a few mm to one side.
     
    Robert Thomas likes this.
  3. Forgive my ignorance but if it were the plate wouldn't that be problematic constantly? The only time I get "locked out" is on the move down changing, up changing is fine as is changing through the box all ways stationary.
    also the fact that dipping the clutch and revving then allows engagement.
    I'm not trying to discount your advice I'm just out of my depth here as far as the bus goes but it's very similar symptoms to my old series 3 Land Rover and that was a big expensive job! That time it was the synchromesh gone


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Pickles likes this.
  4. In my experience, if the stop plate (the thing that prevents you going into reverse) is off by a couple of mm, it does stop you dropping down into second. Just needs a bit more free movement to one side so the selector shaft can rotate a bit more. I've had the same - scary on roundabouts!

    Fine changing up, as the stop plate isn't involved.
     
  5. Hmmmnnn, mines up and down into second so I'll be watching this thread :thinking:
     
  6. My Selector plate wore out and eventually tore on one side, so things got worse quicker. After a year with a truly crap modern replacement I bodged the plate back together with Pepsi can cut out metal templates and glued to the original . Result , was ectstatic for a bit but the symptoms you mention are still there ... have to adjust sometime , but bigger fish to fry right now. No MOT. IMG_2907.JPG
     
    EggBoxes, Sick Boy and mcswiggs like this.
  7. Keeling54

    Keeling54 Supporter

    If the gear shift coupler is slightly worn it'll mess up gear selection, mine went straight after an MOT and had to drive the thing home in second.... fortunately only a 5 minute trip.
     
  8. Update,
    Bought all the bits, plate, listed "front" bush, retaining ring, and even EMPI short shift thick plate.

    Striped out lever etc and cleaned/inspected plate the old one was tanged and although very slightly polished in tip top condition and compared to the now seemingly nasty reproduction one definitely the one going back in!
    The front bush wasn't, it was the one for the tube
    My buddy observed that my clutch was very close to the floor in operation compared to his too.

    We re assembled the lever as per the "2nd gear, push plate left hard then back off slightly and fix" method This alone made a massive difference and comparatively it now sat over to the left 2mm and forward 1mm.
    We also established that indeed the front grommet/bush was very worn so we made strips of plastic shims to replicate a bush to allow settings to be made.

    I didn't bother with the EMPI bit.

    Got refund for all the bits I first bought (nothing used) and bought the actual "front" bush/grommet and that's in now.

    I was out of adjustment on the clutch cable so I'm now running 2 nuts a la many others it seems . I've been lazy and put them under the wing nut but I've wire locked the wing nut so it can't undo.

    I also took the opportunity to oil change the box, nearly made the school boy error of draining before establishing that I could remove the fill plug!

    All in all great results and once again great advice from you lot



    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
    Sick Boy, rob.e and The Drama Man like this.
  9. This forum is still brilliant, isn't it? Glad you got it all sorted. Enjoy!
     
    Robert Thomas and mgbman like this.
  10. Great news! Glad you got it sorted!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Robert Thomas likes this.
  11. I have just changed rear gear coupling as original was shot, now not so easy to get gears when stationery seems to want to select reverse instead of second even without pushing the gearstick down, any ideas
     
  12. Watching with interest. Might add “Gearstick” to the list of Techenders jobs.
    We bought “Beau” because we wanted more adventure in the journey. I just didn’t realise that every gear change, every roundabout and every junction would be an adventure.
    3rd down to 2nd is particularly challenging, often finding 4th , sometimes grinding reverse.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
     
  13. Flakey

    Flakey Supporter

    A lot of the new couplings are best removing the new middle bit and keeping the original metal cage, you might not have lined the grub screw up with the dimple properly!
     
    snotty and 3901mick like this.
  14. original metal cage was bent to parallelogram shape so not serviceable, I did take care with the grub screw but will look at it again as per your suggestion
     
  15. The new metal cages often need a blob or 3 of weld tacking around the flange(;)) where the 2 parts join as they aren't as well peened(I think that's the word!) together as the originals.
     
  16. foe

    foe

  17. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Even a twisted OG cage is still better made than a modern replacenent.

    Weld blobs to lock cage to collar is first move.

    Then the front bushing is usually shot.

    Then you need to tweak the shift plate at the front.

    If your clutch cable just started stretching its probably about to snap. Or its come loose under the rear torsion tube .
     
  18. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Double post
     
  19. matty

    matty Supporter

    paradox likes this.
  20. matty likes this.

Share This Page