Reverse gear problems

[bobbayers]

Over the last few months shifting into reverse has become increasingly harder, to the point that I now cannot shift into it, despite slamming as hard as I can. Also the shifting from 1st to 2nd is a bit iffy, not being direct throw. The PO put in a new clutch slave. Is this a linkage rebuild project? Used to be able to find complete rebuild kits but haven´t seen them lately.

[bobbayers]

Sorry: I should have added that it is a 71 4.2 series II OTS

[1954Etype]

Have adjusted the clutch slave rod?

[chrisfell]

Been there, done that. On my car it was the release bearing. there was no bearing material left, the bush carrier was engaging with the pressure plate, metal to metal.

Engine and gearbox out, new 3 in 1 clutch. Five years later I'm still happy, and the cost of the new clutch (at one arm and one leg by some margin the most expensive thing I've bought for the car) is now a distant memory.

[PeterCrespin]

Over the last few months shifting into reverse has become increasingly harder, to the point that I now cannot shift into it, despite slamming as hard as I can. Also the shifting from 1st to 2nd is a bit iffy, not being direct throw. The PO put in a new clutch slave. Is this a linkage rebuild project? Used to be able to find complete rebuild kits but haven´t seen them lately.

'Slamming as hard as I can' only makes matters worse.

Is it the same with the engine running and not running?

'

[bobbayers]

Peter: I´ll check when I get back to the storage garage.When reverse gear started getting tricky, I was told by some that it just needed a good slap to the left (toward me) to engage and it seemed to work for the most part. I don´t know if this is related, but the entire shift pattern seems to be to the right of where I would expect it to be (e.g., to shift into 1st at a stop seems to be where I would expect 3rd gear to be) , then 1st to 2nd takes a bit of searching. Even with my old nonsynchro XK120 the shifting was smoother.

[politeperson]

I had a similar issue and it was a fairly quick fix, so maybe worth a go.

Remove the seats, radio console, gear nob, centre console and transmission tunnel cover.

The top of the gearbox will now be exposed.

Slacken off the lock-nut and adjuster for the spring that controls the reverse lockout.

In the case of my gearbox, the spring was too coiled and the little ball that has to pop out of the groove was locked in the groove, preventing reverse from being selected.

If that has no effect-

Remove the reverse switch wires, undo the top of the gearbox. You will need a new gasket when you replace it.

With the gearbox top on the bench, check the linkage for play.

A couple of bushes might cure it. If not, you have only wasted a couple of hours.