Unable to select 5th Gear

[Mike Hawthorn]

I can't now get my Chim to select 5th gear. It's never been a good change since I bought it but yesterday it decided it won't go in at all. I can get it to change with a "Crunch" by holding it across the gate and where it should be and letting the clutch out. Unfortunately I don't think this abuse is going to do the box much good. All other gears are fine the clutch is fine and once in gear it fine? Does anyone have any ideas? Don't want to get the box out and re-conditioned if I don't have to. Any bright ideas will be greatly appreciated.

[shpub]

Lots of reasons:

1. Problem with the remote linkage.
2. The box has 75W90 in it which often gives crunchy 5th gear until the gearbox oil is really warm.
3. Fault in the gearbox. 5th gear is a bit of an afterthought and is the weakest gear.
4. Clutch problem preventing the gearbox from spinning down internally and causing a crunch. Could be high spots on the clutch/flywheel causing clutch disengagement problems.
5. Internal gearbox selector problem.
6. Lack of clutch fluid in the hydraulic system causing the clutch to not quite disengage. OK with the stronger synchro in 1-4th but 5th can be a problem.


PS I assume you have a T5.

[neal1980]

I also lost fifth gear once on my box. It was bad news for me it will be box out, from what I remember the gear slides off the shaft. I sent mine to Bernie CTS and they do some sort of machining mod that stops this from happening again.

[madhatter]

Can you select 5th when the car is stationary and just idling? If it goes in then but not when there are revs or the vehicle is in motion then there is a very good chance that the syncro has gone.

[Mike Hawthorn]

Thanks guys. I can sometimes get 5th with the engine turned off but not started even at tick over. I can always get it if I kinda "Kick the clutch and crunch it in" I'll change the clutch fluid and perhaps remove the interior and check the remote is working ok. (I understand it's accessible) I guess it's hope for the best and prepare for the worst!