Gear change problems

[uriel]

Having bother with my gearbox/clutch. Can't get reverse without a load of grinding and occasionally it can take some force to get it into first. No bad noises when going into first, it's just reluctant to get into gear. It can be this way and 2 minutes later it will go in perfect. Sometimes as well when putting it into first it goes in very very easily, as in can't feel it going in at all, but when this happens there is a slight clunk that comes through the floor. It feels like with my foot to the floor the clutch isn't fully disengaging. This thought is reenforced by the fact that the clutch bites pretty much as soon as the pedal is lifted from the floor, there is virtually no travel in the pedal before the car pulls away. Only seems to affect reverse and first though, all other gears are fine.

Thing is, the car is fine when it's cold, it's only once it's up (or almost up) to temp that the problem occurs. I assumed if it was something wrong with the 'box or clutch it would happen all the time? The only thing that I can think of that would be affected by temp is the gearbox oil. Could it be that this is just old, heats up and is too thin/broken down to do it's job and needs replacing? Is there a way to adjust the clutch cable so that the biting point could be raised up the pedal's travel? Cable changed about 8 months ago btw. Clutch doesn't slip or anything.

Any ideas or suggestions? Preferably something that doesn't involve taking the gearbox/engine out of the car

[Nacnud]

They all do that sir.....

Slip it into first, then reverse. No grinding....

[uriel]

Nacnud said:

They all do that sir..... Slip it into first, then reverse. No grinding....

I've tried going into 1st before reverse and the others. Originally 4th seemed to help, but now it does it regardless.

Thing is, it never did it until a couple of weeks ago. Or at least not to this extent. From the sound it makes I reckon that if I was to keep putting it into reverse it wouldn't be long until the gearbox (or it's components) is destroyed. Means I pretty much have no reverse

[280bod]

Had same on my 280. You can adjust the cable at the gearbox end which should help. If that doesn't fix it I also found putting it in 1st before reverse helps.

[patrick]

I had this prob a while ago,

turned out it was the slave cylinder for the clutch
that had given up the ghost..

To get reverse normally, I put it into 5th, then reverse.

[njhucker]

It's yer clutch!
If you have an early wedge with a cable.then check the cable is in good condition and adjust it.

If it's a later one with hydraulics, try bleeding the system ( after checking the slave cylinder is on tight and straight).

[adam quantrill]

You don't want to leave it too long either as the rover 5-speed box is sensitive to a bad clutch.

Other problems in this area could be the master cylinder, that quite often wears out, and starts leaking into the footwell.

Give the clutch a full flush with new brake fluid (assuming hydraulic).

[uriel]

It's the Ford 4 speed box with a cable clutch.

Tried using 1st before reverse, but it's the same. And as I say, I never used to do it, only in the past few weeks.

I'll wait until I can get the thing in the air to see about adjusting the cable at the box. Also have a new cable that I can try if the adjustment doesn't work.

Also I've been reading all I can about the 24v Cosworth swap. General consensus seems to be that keeping the speed is the way to go, but has anyone tried with a 5 speed?

[wedget]

I have been told that it is the linkage that is to blame ond not the gearbox, they are meant to spring up and down to engage reverse but over time the spring goes very easy to fix and cheap about £15