How does the reverser work?

[BertBert]

I have taken it off so it can be mended, but I am wondering how it works.

I have uploaded some pics here:

http://community.webshots.com/album/562285725mXdGA...

So in pic 1, you have:

1- motor
2- Reduction gear?
3- roundy thing that goes round one way
4- circular plate with two round holes in that doesnt go round.

So I guess that the general principle is that bit 3 goes round and the dogs go through the holes in bit 4 to engage with the dogs on the output gear on the engine. If so, what makes it go up and why is bit 4 there?

In pics 2 and 3 you can see that the round plate at the end is a bit knacked. Is that going to be a problem?

Thanks
Bert

[SportsLibre]

Put simply, It doesn't.

don't know what the "dogs" are, but in principle the motor turns, the balls poke out through the holes and push against the blocks welded on the sprocket bolt.
Then when you drive forward the balls are pushed back in out of the way.

In my experience the first part happens and the car limps backwards (just) then when you go forwards the balls catch, go "sproing/kerbang" and disappear into the driveway, never to be seen again....

Luckily, I only drive in Hill climb and Sprints where no reverse is required, so it was the first thing to come off the car.

[BertBert]

ahhh, that'll be the problem with mine too then! No balls.
Bert

[jpivey]

Before you send it to be repaired put it direct to a battery to see if the motor turns if it does it could be a problem elsewhere there is a box under the left hand ( water rad ) side pod that has something to do with the reverse ( Rob will let us know what is does ) i can't remember that will have to back to radical to be repaired, from your photos you will need two ball bearings and there is a funny spring that you will need again from radical.
Then it still won't work just make lots of horrible noises.

[ScottHughes]

The control box allows the motor to turn slowly at first to engage the balls on to the drive nut, and than as the torque increases it increases the speed of the motor.... Thats what Radical told me..

Edited by ScottHughes on Sunday 27th January 20:58

[Simon T]

Scott, best not to say tha too loud though eh?

[BertBert]

A quick update...

after fiddling with wiring and stuff, the reverser now activates and turns. Sadly with no ball bearings it's never going to achieve movement!!

I guess I need to contact radical to get new bits for the end?

Thanks
Bert

[jpivey]

You could get the ball bearings from i would have thought a hard ware / iron mongers shop i will measure one up to give you the size, spring from radical or some one might know different

[BertBert]

Thanks JP
Bert

[jpivey]

Ball Bearing are 16mm.

[BertBert]

Thanks JP. I think I get it! There are no springs or anything, the holes in the plate are just under 16mm dia and the ballbearings just get pushed into the holes as the motor turns. I assume the end plate has to come off to fit the ballbearins (unless they just push through the hole).

I think I need a new endplate as well as the ball bearings as mine is very distorted!

Bert

[jpivey]

The bearing will push though the hole in the plate but you will need the spring to hold them in place.

[BertBert]

So latest update, Radical do not seem to have any spares for the reverser. I can get the ball bearings, but the end plate is very bent and I don't have any idea what the spring thing looks like.

Anyone got any ideas on this? On advice from Radical, I spoke to EMD who seem to have made some or all of it, but they only have records of supplying the motor, not the gearbox piece.

Thanks
Bert

[RobC]

My motor is off at the moment, I can post up some pics of the spring and ball dimensions if that will help?

[BertBert]

Thanks Rob, JP measured his ball bearings for me at 16mm, but a picture of the spring mechanism would be excellent. I'll take it to my expert fabricator to see what he can do.

Bert

[jpivey]

I will use the Radical don't stock spares for the reverse when i fail at scrutineering, not very good hearing that are they no longer stocking parts will this continue for the club/pro sport cars!!!

[ScottHughes]

I see Radical have a new motor assembly for sale in their clearance item section, but at £485 you would really have to want one badly!

[BertBert]

that's what I told the man in parts today! Anyone know who supplied them?
BErt

[BertBert]

Rob, did you manage to post a pic?
Thanks
Bert

[RobC]

Bert, will do it tomorrow as I've not had time to get back to the garage so far this week