Can’t select reverse - wand direct change

[mab01uk]

Just to confirm as stated: The 4 synch magic wand gearlever has the keyway slot in the ball at the top not side:-

Converting a Remote box to use Magic wand gear stick?
viewtopic.php?p=89542#p89542

[docka]

Thanks Mab
Wish someone could wave a ‘real’ Magic Wand and get reverse working

[Polarsilver]

Is that Mickey Mouse pivoting Block with its "pin" that fits into the Gearstick Ball Slot doing its job & the undertray is hopefully located correctly .. yes .. then get a good torch & look down the back of the engine & its just possible to see the selector linkage on top of the Diff Cover ( maybe worth taking off the Bonnet to get a good look down there ).. with an assistant in the car selecting gears it should be possible to see what is going on with that linkage.. i would also take off the big hex cap nut on the gearbox ( located in the area behind the oil filter & same location if you have a reverse switch fitted ) as suggested take out the Detent Plug from the gearbox you will not loose any oil..are you then getting reverse.? if the answer is no .. start stripping out the Lump.. please remember to tell us what was the problem .
Just a thought is there the spring & cup fitted inside the smoking pipe socket.

[docka]

Is that Mickey Mouse pivoting Block with its "pin" that fits into the Gearstick Ball Slot doing its job & the undertray is hopefully located correctly .. yes .. then get a good torch & look down the back of the engine & its just possible to see the selector linkage on top of the Diff Cover ( maybe worth taking off the Bonnet to get a good look down there ).. with an assistant in the car selecting gears it should be possible to see what is going on with that linkage.. i would also take off the big hex cap nut on the gearbox ( located in the area behind the oil filter & same location if you have a reverse switch fitted ) as suggested take out the Detent Plug from the gearbox you will not loose any oil..are you then getting reverse.? if the answer is no .. start stripping out the Lump.. please remember to tell us what was the problem .
Just a thought is there the spring & cup fitted inside the smoking pipe socket.

Yes the mickey mouse thing is located and appears ok as far as I can see, so too is the Easter egg plate underneath. Smoking pipe has both spring and cup. Man I love these names at least

Already tried it with reverse detent removed - no difference:(

Next up I’ll defo be looking sternly at those linkages as a last hope… fingers crossed…

[iain1967s]

If you can get into 4th and you can get across past 3/4 but just not pull down into reverse, then the cup and ball external linkage sounds OK and it’s more likely to be something screwed up with the selector rod or gate.

Long shot, but by any chance did you fit a center oil pickup? If it was not tucked behind the webbing properly I think it could get in the way of the reverse mechanism.

[docka]

If you can get into 4th and you can get across past 3/4 but just not pull down into reverse, then the cup and ball external linkage sounds OK and it’s more likely to be something screwed up with the selector rod or gate.

Long shot, but by any chance did you fit a center oil pickup? If it was not tucked behind the webbing properly I think it could get in the way of the reverse mechanism.

Yes one was fitted. I guess I’ll find out soon enough… thanks for the suggestion

[Jason]

Things I have seen in the past:
- Bush ‘crept’ out of reverse gear (has bush been replaced?). Uncommon if original bush. This stops the gear engaging.
- Pinch bolt on reverse arm sleeve to Rod loose, Rod moves inside sleeve and gear does not move.
- End of centre pick up pipe preventing gear sliding into position.

Although the shafts have a cut out for the securing bolt for male and female knuckle joints, they will move a spline or two either way. I have encountered this once with difficulties engaging 3rd gear on a 3SYNCHRO box.

[docka]

Thanks Jason, appreciate your experience.

Ok so next thing to try while in situ is removing the knuckle linkage from the smoking pipe and seeing if I can engage it with the rod to the box by pushing down (the length?) and turning anti-clockwise… hope I’m understanding that correctly…

[Jason]

Yes, make a note of the position of the knuckle attached to the shaft on the box when in neutral. When you have removed the knuckle from the diff housing shaft, ensure the remaining knuckle is in the neutral position. Push the box shaft down and turn anti clockwise using the attached knuckle. If you engage reverse then box internals are good.
It a right pain in the a*** with the lump in the car but do-able

[Dearg1275]

Just whip the lump out and get it where you can see what is going on. You can then take the selector end cover off, lock the “crab” in place with a bar bolted across it and watch what is happening. No point p******ssing about. Sorry

D

[docka]

Just whip the lump out and get it where you can see what is going on. You can then take the selector end cover off, lock the “crab” in place with a bar bolted across it and watch what is happening. No point p******ssing about. Sorry

D

No need to apologise, appreciate the advice. My physical limitations mean I have to work slowly and not very often so I’m keen to try everything before extracting the engine