Reverse Gear , fussy!

Neilsouth · Unread post by **Neilsouth** » 24 Nov 2009, 12:10

Had my clutch/diff changed recently.. However just lately the gearstick refuses to go into reverse

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 24 Nov 2009, 12:16

If it goes in with the engine off the clutch is dragging. Not sure which car u have but if it's a cable clutch there is some adjustment which may rectify the problem.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 24 Nov 2009, 14:27

This is all part and parcel of the bedding-in process after a major job. A you say HDI, more than likely clutch adjustment.

It's worth checking the gear selector linkages though, especially the rubber-clad ball and socket joints as the rubber is easy to damage in disconnecting them if you're not really cautious. If the rubber has cracked, that'll cause gear selection difficulty.

Neilsouth · Unread post by **Neilsouth** » 24 Nov 2009, 21:05

Thankyou! , thing is i have to go to essex on friday... Hopefully the car will be ok

Neilsouth · Unread post by **Neilsouth** » 26 Nov 2009, 12:31

I couldn't get the gears into fifth or reverse this morning , put the clutch in same thing. Made no difference car on or off !

But when i pumped the clutch pedal the gears went straight in , any ideas?

Unread post by **myglaren** » 26 Nov 2009, 12:46

Looks like an hydraulic clutch that may have degraded seals or a leak.

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 26 Nov 2009, 13:28

Didn't realise u had a hydraulic clutch ! That will be the problem , check for any leaks in the hydraulic system , then bleed it , should then be ok.

Neilsouth · Unread post by **Neilsouth** » 26 Nov 2009, 13:38

Would this be down to the garage who have just done a diff rebuild in the gearbox and new clutch?

Are you 100% sure it's got a hydraulic clutch? , dad thinks it's a cable and also according to the garage The Clutch cable is not adjustable, it is so called self adjusting

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 26 Nov 2009, 15:22

soz , just noticed u have a Xsara , not sure if thats hydraulic. However , if the box has been off for major repairs it's a fair bet the garage has something to do with the problem.

Kowalski · Unread post by **Kowalski** » 27 Nov 2009, 11:46

HDI wrote:soz , just noticed u have a Xsara , not sure if thats hydraulic. However , if the box has been off for major repairs it's a fair bet the garage has something to do with the problem.

It could be a problem with the gear linkages, they can get bent when they're popped off to remove the gear box. I'm not sure which gearbox the 1.4 Xsara gets, or whether it has rods or cables to change gear....

Unread post by **myglaren** » 27 Nov 2009, 16:35

The fact that pumping the clutch makes it work seems to indicate an hydraulic rather than a mechanical linkage.

Best to ascertain which is fitted before proceeding.

Kowalski · Unread post by **Kowalski** » 27 Nov 2009, 23:28

myglaren wrote:The fact that pumping the clutch makes it work seems to indicate an hydraulic rather than a mechanical linkage.

Best to ascertain which is fitted before proceeding.

An auto adjusting cable could respond to pumping.....

Will it go into 5th or reverse with the engine off / not running?

Neilsouth · Unread post by **Neilsouth** » 28 Nov 2009, 14:34

Kowalski wrote:
Will it go into 5th or reverse with the engine off / not running?

Not without some pumping or force no

Kowalski · Unread post by **Kowalski** » 29 Nov 2009, 15:06

Neilsouth wrote:
Kowalski wrote:
Will it go into 5th or reverse with the engine off / not running?
Not without some pumping or force no

My diagnosis would be that there was something wrong with the gear linkages. The linkages need to be disconnected to remove the gearbox, they can get bent when they are being removed ant its not unheard of for garages to forget about them until they try to drop the gearbox, at which point they get bent.