5th gear problem

[supercrispy]

Very difficult to get into fifth, the only time it will easily go in is when the engine is off and the clutch depressed. If the engine is running and the car is stationary or moving it is difficult or very hard (and don't want to force it) to get into gear. All the other gears are fine. The fault appeared fairly quickly over the space of about 20 miles quickly became worse. It was easier to engage on the move after stopping for a couple of hours, but soon became a problem again. Thanks in advance for any comments/help.

[aubrey9160]

Same thing happened to mine Im a mechanical numpty but I think it was something to do with the synchro on fifth gear. Mart at TGA in wolverhampton sorted it out. May be worth givin him a ring. Hes a TVR specialist and a lot of the east mids tvrcc use him

[clive f]

isn`t difficulty engaing 5th and reverse a sign of clutch on the way out?

also are the gearbox mounts ok, perhaps a knackered mount with stop the lever from moving across to engage 5th gear?

[Buzz Billsberry]

It sounds like it could be balk ring to me. It's a Ford T5 WRC box you don't need a TVR specialist to sort it. Get it a long to any reputable Gbox company and get them to have a look at it. Its also worth having the clutch checked/replaced whilst its the G box is out obviously depending on the mileage/condition. Speed Six clutches usually last around 18-23k miles depending on your driving style.

HTH

Buzz

[supercrispy]

Thank you to everyone for your replies.
Reverse is no problem, so I don't think it's the clutch.
A gearbox specialist seems the way to go, as long as they can be trusted with my p&j.
The other way forward could be to take the 'opportunity' to upgrade the internals and have sports ratios fitted. Has anyone had experience of who best to do this & how much it costs?

Cheers
Crispy

[Buzz Billsberry]

Hi Stuart

A friend of my mine spoke with Track v Road about installing a new set of ratios whilst his Tamora was in for a syncro replacement. Have a chat with Richard or Craig they can advise you on the best option on gear ratios to tie in with what ever diff ratio you have & what you are wanting to achieve with diffrent ratios etc.

I'm sure you have your local TVR independant who will also guide you in the right direction and give you the options on whats available.



Buzz

[shorts!]

Buzz Billsberry said:

Speed Six clutches usually last around 18-23k miles depending on your driving style.

HTH

Buzz

Blimey, I must drive like a pussy then, I'm a bit p****d off if they last less than 40k miles.

[Mattt]

I thought 5th/Reverse had no syncro?

[Druid]

Mattt said:

I thought 5th/Reverse had no syncro?

I thought that. I believe 5th is the weakest gear due to its design so minimal use is advised, by that I understand that instead of selecting 5th prior to reverse use 3rd as its stronger and therefore reduces the use of 5th.

[Diablos-666]

Sorry to hijack op but I had trouble getting the car into first the other day.

I tried pulling away at some lights and the car wouldn't go into 1st, had to pull away in second.

It hasn't happened since but should I be worried?

[supercrispy]

Thanks to all for the advise & comments. Went for a run on Saturday and had less problems, even once warm. Still took up to three attempts sometimes when going from 4th to 5th before it would ease in.
I will be contacting Power this week and would like to go for uprated and sports ratio anyway, that is assuming I haven't got one already, but how can I be sure? I recall seeing comments that with a 3.46 diff and sports ratios it should reach 60mph in first, which it doesn't, so assuming I have standard ratios? (I recall having seen 3.46 on the diff)
I must admit to touching on 5th every time before selecting reverse, so I have probably contributed to the problem.

[alex_gray255]

Sounds like synchro going to me

Reverse has no synchro.

[KillerJim]

Diablos-666 said:

Sorry to hijack op but I had trouble getting the car into first the other day.

I tried pulling away at some lights and the car wouldn't go into 1st, had to pull away in second.

It hasn't happened since but should I be worried?

Happened to me when the clutch was on the way out, it would go into first if the car had movement (i.e. < 5mph) otherwise it was a hassle to get into first.

[natben]

I had this on my Tuscan, Car would not go into 5th gear. It required a gearbox rebuild due to synchro failure if I remember rightly and I was relieved of £750!!

[Diablos-666]

I really hope I don't require either a gearbox rebuild or a new clutch right now.

I'm in the middle of buying my first property do money is tight. Also got my insurance renewal coming up and well as a 12k service so my wallet will already be taking a pounding.

In all fairness it's been okay since. At the time I hadn't driven her much and she was still cold.

I done a few miles today and got stuck in a bit of traffic and the box and clutch were pretty much fine.

Hopefully all is fine, fingers crossed.

[Targarama]

Diablos-666 said:

I really hope I don't require either a gearbox rebuild or a new clutch right now.

I'm in the middle of buying my first property do money is tight. Also got my insurance renewal coming up and well as a 12k service so my wallet will already be taking a pounding.

In all fairness it's been okay since. At the time I hadn't driven her much and she was still cold.

I done a few miles today and got stuck in a bit of traffic and the box and clutch were pretty much fine.

Hopefully all is fine, fingers crossed.

Hopefully a one off. If it starts doing this regularly then get it fixed before it lets you down. It will let you down at the most inopportune moment otherwise and cost you more in terms of hassle and embarrassment if nothing else.

[sportie]

It happened to my Sag at approx 23k miles, gearbox out and reconditioned to fix the 5th gear problem you describe

[Sagi Badger]

My sag had the box out twice before I owned it, even back at the place of it's birth, looking for a 5th gear engagement problem, never resolved. I bought the car in full knowledge of this. The problem would come and go, then I upgraded the clutch to a cermaic 7 1/4 inch twin and re-machined the release bearing, actually milled it off, and fitted a cosworth T5 conversion release bearing and super light flywheel.
During the rebuild I noticed the passivated reverse switch bracket had a cracked weld, when the lever pushed against the reverse light switch it flexed, it was also poorly aligned on the lever and retained with a grub screw which allowed it to twist and catch. I modified this and guess what, 5th is a dream. The clutch and flywheel are incidental but do mean it changes gear quick fire style. Not a problem since.
Gaiter off and take a look.

cheers,

j