Can't get reverse

[GBStu]

Here’s the story:
A couple of weeks ago I was finding it hard to shift into 5th. Thinking this was a problem with the shifter I ordered new a shift rod bushing, coupler bushings and ball cup (also ordered an OEM short shift kit).

After assembling all the above I’ve spent the last two hours trying to set the coupler in the correct position, I’ve follow the Bentley and 101 Projects directions, I just can’t seem to get reverse.

Do you guys think this a more sinister issue rather than a sloppy shifter as I originally thought?

Any help would be welcome, thanks

[al lkosmal]

Sometimes adjusting these things is a ***** and a half. If you are having no trouble with any of the gears, but reverse, try the following. Take the acces cover off and mark the couple/shaft with a sharpee or something, to mark your current adjustment. While trying to engage reverse, note the direction of rotation the the coupler is moving. Basically you need for it to be able to rotate a bit farther to engage, right?. Now, adjust the coupler to allow slightly more rotation in the direction of reverse and try again. You can use this method to fine tune your adjustment. Remember to mark your starting point, so that at least you can get back to where you started. Hope that this makes sense and is not too confusing.

Al

[Early_S_Man]

Stuart,

I doubt that anything but shifter/coupler adjustment is your current problem!

But, having taken both shifter and coupler loose without [I assume] any reference markings ... it will be no simple matter to get the adjustment dead-on ...

What you need to realize is that having trouble getting into fifth gear a couple of weeks ago ... and not being able to get into reverse, now are two extremes on the same fore-and-aft adjustment continuum.

The fundamental starting point with no reference marks is that in neutral ... the shifter lever is supposed to be 'normal' [in 3-D cartesian coordinate space] -- 90° to both fore and aft movement [pith plane], and also with respect to left and right [roll plane] ... and the shift control rod coming out of the transaxle nose cone needs to be in the center of its' movement range for both longitudinal and axial movement. A 'Tee' handle facilitates getting the nose cone control rod into the center of its' adjustment range, but, a paper clip [suitably folded] and duct tape and a couple of pieces of cardboard at right angles can also help you mark the full extent of the shift control rod movement.

[GBStu]

Thanks for your comments....

Here's what going on, I can select 1st, 2nd and 3rd (and 5th I think), all these gears seem to be in the "right place", except, if I put the shifter in the reverse position I get a forward gear (I think 4th). Even if I readjust the coupler I still can't get reverse.....

I've spent the last 4hrs trying to get this, just by the law of averages I would think I’d have adjusted correctly once.

I'm thinking something else may be wrong?

Thanks, Stu

[al lkosmal]

One other thing that you should check. I had a similar problem to yours and the cause was the setscrew, used at the front end of the shift rod, to connect the shift lever ball socket housing to the shift lever. This came loose and no manner of coupler adjusting would compensate. I finally took the shifter/housing out, to inspect for worn bushings, etc. and found this problem. The setscrew backed out and , due to the slop, allows the shift lever to move right and left w/o actually rotating the rod/coupler/shaft enough to engage reverse. It happened twice until I applied Loctite.

Regards,

Al

[GBStu]

Thanks for your help; unfortunately I think the problem is more than an adjustment issue. I spent a few hours on it tonight trying to reset the coupler as you guys described, I finally gave up when it got stuck in gear!

It seems that the gearbox is stuck; I cannot rotate the coupler it will only move in/out and not shift into neutral.

What is going on?
How easy is it to rebuild the gearbox!

Thanks

Stu