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MGB MGB's with Reverse Error - Do you have this?????

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EMGEBE

EMGEBE

Jedi Hopeful
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In my B, i dont know if any of you guys get this....

But it seems sometimes, when im driving or even when the car is totally stationary and not even turned on, i find getting the gearbox into reverse a bloddy pain...

What i do is go from 1st to 2nd... pump the clutch a few times, and generally (EMPHASIS ON GENERALLY) goes into reverse..

On my few visits to mechanics around melbourne, ive gone and sat in a few MGB's... and with the B's sitting stationary ive noticed a few do this too...

Does anyone know what causes this?

Something to do with the syncromech isnt it?

But i dont understand if the car isnt even switched on it would still do this? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Cheers Jarrod /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
Re: MGB's with Reverse Error - Do you have this???

Probably just the old technology. If you put it in first and move forward an inch or two, it should drop into reverse easily.
 
Re: MGB's with Reverse Error - Do you have this???

Pretty typical of many manual transmissions. If the teeth are not aligned, they won't go together nicely, and that's probably why there was a note in both my 1997 Saturn and my 2004 Honda that say if it doesn't go into reverse smoothly, shift into another gear first. I usually have to do that anyway since most reverse gears do not have synchromesh, and if the engine is running it will grind going into reverse coming out of neutral.
 
Re: MGB's with Reverse Error - Do you have this???

Hmmm? I have a similar problem. It doesn’t happen all the time mind you – but from time to time when I try to put it into reverse it just won’t go. Keeping my foot on the brake I usually have to put it into first then lightly ease off the clutch, then it slips into reverse without any more fuss.

Adding to my confusion is when I down shift from fourth down into third. Get a slight grinding noise. While I ain’t getting any slippage that I’ve noticed – I can down shift from third to second without any difficulty.

So basically I have been living with (i.e. ignoring) the problems, mainly because I plan on doing some engine work this winter. And while the engine is out, I plan on having the transmission either checked out & refurbished or replaced with a 5-speed unit.

Let us know what you find?

Cheers,
 
Re: MGB's with Reverse Error - Do you have this???

Bret, sounds like the third gear syncro getting a bit old. Shift a little slower from 4 to 3 and it shouldn't grind.
 
Re: MGB's with Reverse Error - Do you have this???

like everyone else, when I can't get it into reverse right away I usually inch the car forward in second gear. Then it normally glides right into reverse.

I have a problem with 3rd gear too. When I downshift from 4th to 3rd, the gear box will slam the shifter back into neutral if I don't rev the engine while letting out the clutch. I noticed that it only kicks out to neutral if I downshift at speeds approximately 45MPH or higher without manually reving the engine.

On one hand, third gear is kind of fun like that; it forces me to heal-toe/toe-toe if I'm driving with enthusiasum, and it's sort of a safety net incase I down to 3rd while going too fast. On the other hand, I'd rather not have to think about it when turning onto the freeway on-ramps; I don't know how many times I've hit the gas half way through a turn only to find I'm in nuetral. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
 
Re: MGB's with Reverse Error - Do you have this???

Popping out of 3rd is very common even on rebuilt gearboxes. You can make it happen just by going downhill in 3rd with the revs high, and then letting off the gas. If the hill is steep enough it will pop out from the back pressure.
 
Re: MGB's with Reverse Error - Do you have this???

yep...it is the nature of the beast or a design flaw if you please...file it under the fact that s**t happens. I have driven many MGBs over the years and just make it a habit to double-clutch when downshifting to third.

A small price to pay for so much reward /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

Bruce /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Re: MGB's with Reverse Error - Do you have this???

The reverse problem is in the design. Reverse gear is non-syncro. it is also a straight tooth (that's why cars whine in reverse) all the other gears are helical or cut at an angle (it's not as strong but it makse FAR less noise). And to top it off, by shifting into reverse you are engaging a third gear between two others and it has to line up with both. in all other gears you are only locking an already meshed gear to the mainshaft.
By letting the clutch out momentarily, it rotates the gears and allows them to line up.
The other problems mentioned in the responses are just that, problems. They could indicate worn syncros or bearings. hard to tell without taking a peek.
 
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