tr3a Reverse Gear Selection

[Richardtr3a]

I can not select reverse without crashing the gearbox on my 3A

 

I have spoken to the gearbox specialist in the back cover of TRaction. He says that it must be the clutch.

 

After all my troubles with the slave cylinder over the summer I am sure that the push rod is correctly adjusted.

 

My gear knob will not lift up when I select reverse. Could this be the problem? Why does it have to lift anyway?

 

The release bearing is making a low grumble and will be replaced this winter.

 

Any advice welcome.

 

Thanks, Richard & H.

[RogerH]

Hi Richard,

does it do the same thing when engaging first gear.

If that is OK then how about engaging a gear to stop the shafts (can that happen) rotating and then go for reverse.

 

It does sound like the slave adjustment though.

 

Get back under there and adjust the gap to be small (smaller than that) it will only ever get bigger.

 

You have to lift the lever to stop selecting reverse accidentally when going for 4th etc. there is a baulk in place.

 

Roger

[Motorsport Mickey]

The gearstick has a gate to help stop you selecting 4th instead of reverse.

If you pull the gearstick across to you (RHD )when changing from 3rd to 4th there should be a definite side resistance to prevent you slipping it into reverse.

This is overcome by lifting the gearstick in neutral and pulling across to the driver.

The gate is not as strong as you may think, I have selected reverse instead of 4 th gear whilst going through Devils Elbow (downhill off camber bend to the left) at Mallory Park at about 90 mph ! The natural side forces and car dropping away allowing me to override the gate. The protesting noise from various gears and bearings as they were being spun up to unfamiliar revs persuaded me to try the gear change again correctly before I released the clutch !

In my defence I know 2 other drivers who have done the same. (That will admit to it!).

 

Mick Richards

[Lebro]

Hi Richard,

does it do the same thing when engaging first gear.

If that is OK then how about engaging a gear to stop the shafts (can that happen) rotating and then go for reverse.

 

It does sound like the slave adjustment though.

 

Get back under there and adjust the gap to be small (smaller than that) it will only ever get bigger.

 

You have to lift the lever to stop selecting reverse accidentally when going for 4th etc. there is a baulk in place.

 

Roger

Roger.

Richard raised this one recently, & my response was - try partially engaging 2nd, 3rd, or top first (to stop the gears spinning) yes that does work, I do it all the time.

Your question of whether it does the same in 1st is relevent, because it would normally do the same (3 synchro box assumed).

If this trick does not work, then it has to be:

The clutch not releasing (release mechanism not working / adjusted correctly or driven plate not sliding easily on the splines)

The 1st motion shaft spigot too tight a fit in the flywheel bush

 

Bob.

[Richardtr3a]

Thanks for the advice.

 

My next task is to encourage our local TR man to take out the gearbox and replace the thrust bearing and any thing else that he finds.

 

Then we will try and reverse into the garage without waking the Robins and Crows who live near us.

 

Richard & H.

[RogerH]

Hi Richard,

surely you need to ascertain what the problem with the reverse gear is before disturbing the box.

 

Roger

[Lebro]

+1

[Alec Pringle]

Agreed, there is no merit in removing the gearbox until all the external adjustments and influences have been eliminated as a sources of problem - and that can only be achieved with the box in situ, not once it has been removed.

 

The horse goes in front of the cart . . . . . .

 

Cheers

 

Alec