Reverse gearbox grinder: 2500M

[Renaldo]

Guys, occasionally, when I shift into reverse (while stopped of course), and with the clutch fully depressed, I get a bit of grinding/graunching.

Is this likely just a normal bit of gearbox noise? Quiet in all the other gears.

Wonder if I might just be a bit low on gearbox juice? Hydraulics perhaps?

Any suggestions or ideas (like "stop worrying")?

Ron

[Cerberus90]

I occasionally get this on my mini, and we also get it on the Fiat 500, and I've had it on my old 99 Fiesta and 53 Fiesta.

I'd say don't worry, maybe just try waiting a little longer before engaging reverse.



I think most of the time reverse gears are different (can't remember if it's the gear that's straight cut or the syncro or what), but I think this can make them grind a little if the mesh isn't perfect.

[Slow M]

Try shifting into second gear, then into reverse. Also, try first, then reverse. In the dim recesses of my memory, something like that helped.

I think your clutch is not fully disengaging. It's only a real problem when it refuses to allow you to select a gear, or makes you force the synchros.

If the aforementioned work-around is effective, stop worrying. Bleed the clutch circuit, too.

Best,
B.

[Renaldo]

Great suggestions. Thanks boys...

Ron

[RCK974X]

(from T2500 saloons, I had a few of them.....)

It might be the clutch isn't fully releaseing as said above - I've had this happen to me.

To check, push the clutch pedal right down and wait for gearbox to stop turning, something like 10 seconds or so (count slowly to 10 !!). If it still grinds on selecting reverse, then the clutch isn't fully releasing. Check no fluid leaks from hydraulics, and bleed clutch system.

Sounds stupid, but check pedal isn't blocked by anything inside on the bulkhead, like rubber mat or carpet.

I did once have a problem where the pin holding the release fork was loose (inside bellhousing), so check for lost movement (you can try moving the clutch arm by hand when disconnected from cylinder). Also the clutch sleeve (which holds the bearing) can wear to give lost movement. Unfortunately you have to take gearbox off for these last two.

[catfishdb]

As B said. I routinely put mine in four before reverse. Interestingly, our daily driver has syncro. in reverse and can be engaged while still rolling forward.
Arthur

[Grantura MKI]

Many people tend to forget that the fluid in the brake and clutch needs changing out after a few years,due to the build up of moisture.
Change out the fluid and bleed. You should be good to go.
Best,
D.

[phillpot]

Grantura MKI said:

Many people tend to forget that the fluid in the brake and clutch needs changing out after a few years,due to the build up of moisture.

True but, in theory at least, moisture just like brake fluid can not be compressed and shouldn't boil in a clutch system.
May just be a "mechanics tale" but when I was a young mechanic was told of a guy had a slave cylinder leak and pee'd in the reservior to get him home!


Reverse in older gearbox's doesn't have synchro and gears are straight cut, hence the whine if you reverse at any speed.

[RCK974X]

phillpot said:

....May just be a "mechanics tale" but when I was a young mechanic was told of a guy had a slave cylinder leak and pee'd in the reservior to get him home!........

I've never done that, but I *HAVE* driven home about 12 miles through Manchester without a clutch after the loose pin actually broke off. Interesting times.

Stop. Select 1st. Turn starter. A good battery has just enough energy to move car and engine catches, then change gear by matching RPM to road speed. Jerky, but I made it home. After that, I joined the AA.

[ATE399J]

RCK974X said:

phillpot said:

....May just be a "mechanics tale" but when I was a young mechanic was told of a guy had a slave cylinder leak and pee'd in the reservior to get him home!........

I've never done that, but I *HAVE* driven home about 12 miles through Manchester without a clutch after the loose pin actually broke off. Interesting times.

Stop. Select 1st. Turn starter. A good battery has just enough energy to move car and engine catches, then change gear by matching RPM to road speed. Jerky, but I made it home. After that, I joined the AA.

Yup, been there, got the T shirt, in my case it was a slave cylinder seal that let go.

[Renaldo]

I flushed out my clutch hydraulics 2 years ago, but I should probably check the stuff for water absorption.

Got one of those neat little testers for it, which I'm dying to try.

Car does too much sitting with our wonderful Winnipeg climate (polar vortexes and so on), so it probably needs changing.

By the way for those who may think we don't get nice weather, got to 27 C today. How come I'm not driving?

Ron

[prideaux]

Renaldo said:

How come I'm not driving?

Ron

Because you Darling wife has banished you under the ping pong table to tidy up your steering wheel collection
Andrew

[Renaldo]

Andrew, that tidying should only take a week or two. By then, of course, it'll be snowing.

Ron

[Slow M]

http://m.ebay.ca/itm?itemId=251613509929

Not that I would encourage anybody's addiction . . . oh hell, yes I would!

Best,
B.

[Renaldo]

B, the pain of seeing that and knowing that I won't be the one buying it, is beyond description.

Ron

[Grantura MKI]

Renaldo said:

B, the pain of seeing that and knowing that I won't be the one buying it, is beyond description.

Ron

Please keep all heads away from the Ping ball table!
Cheers,
D.

[Slow M]

Renaldo said:

B, the pain of seeing that and knowing that I won't be the one buying it, is beyond description.

Ron

Only eleven more steps, to recovery.

Best,
B.

[prideaux]

Grantura MKI said:

Renaldo said:

B, the pain of seeing that and knowing that I won't be the one buying it, is beyond description.

Ron

Please keep all heads away from the Ping ball table!
Cheers,
D.

Well David might like this


Or This


I know your going to say you have one ido love the early cars wheels stunning sorry OP for going off subject but we cant help keeping Ron excited
A

[Renaldo]

Pieces of art, really.

I'd frame that, rather than use it...

(Who needs Picasso?)

Ron

[griff 200]

. That's £1500 is that expensive I'll have to keep my ebay £50 one.