Forwards or backwards?

[Yorky]

I know how daft this sounds...but here goes!

In my beloved S2, 1st & reverse are VERY easy to confuse. Only safe way of hitting 1st, first time, is to pop into 2nd, then straight up to 1st. Any attempt to move off from neutral is likely to be backwards (very embarrassing!)

Does anybody know of a box/gate modification to overcome this, either push down or lift up would be great.

[KentishS2]

Sounds a bit like the selector in your box is a bit worn. Mine is a higher mileage car and it is fine.
Do you drive with your hand on your knob much?

It can wear the box prematurely and you also get a buzzing floppy knob

[ukbob]

I have to select 1st befor reverse (syncro thingy whatever it is, if someone wants to explain) but finding reverse is easy enough. Did the earlier S's have lift referse?

[oldred]

Got a V8S myself so have a Rover box and am unfamilier with the one fitted to your car, but I remember years ago I had a Ford that was supposed to be a push down and then into reverse, only on my car I did not have to push the lever down before selecting revers. Had a look at it and there was a spring on the gear lever shaft that should have been pushing against a circlip on the shaft of the gear lever, i.e pushing the lever up. Without the circlip the lever was already in the down position and could therefore be pushed straight into reverse. Putting the circlip back into its groove on the gear lever returned upwards thrust to the lever requiring downwards pressure before reverse could be selected. I hope that makes sense, it does to me, but its been a long day and I'm off to

[Yorky]

Thanks for the spring suggestion, I'll follow that up. For the record, I don't travel with my hand on the knob!

[Colin Blues2]

To engage reverse on my S2 you have to give it a hard push to the left. I believe this resistance is created by a small spring and ball bearing in the top of the selector unit. Sounds like either it's come out or the spring has lost it's strength.

No idea if you can fix it with the gearbox in the car though I'm afraid.