stuck in 4th gear bj8

[Bondsa]

Driving home tonight I went to change down from 4th to3rd however it did not move and is now stuck in 4th. I have not checked oil levels or anything yet just wanted some advice please. Regards Bondsa

 

[BJ8Healeys]

Bondsa, first, are you sure your clutch is releasing? Check the clutch fluid level. If the clutch and hydraulics are O.K., then the interlock balls that prevent engaging more than one gear at a time may be jammed. If they are, then addressing that issue will require removing the fiberglass cover from the gearbox, then removing the gearbox top cover to access the balls.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

How about excessive gear shift lever travel due to worn out shift lever bushing(located at the end of the gearshift lever).

 

[Randy Forbes]

I had the same thing happen with a side-shift trans; internally, the two (2) gearboxes are nearly identical, only differing in detail and ratios.

In my case, the third-gear synchronizer was too thin, allowing the center of the synchromesh hub to move too far rearward while its collar moved too far forward to engage fourth gear. As Steve says, the three (3) balls in the hub escaped, and the three (3) springs that project out of their recesses are what's blocking the collar to move, holding it in fourth gear. IF that's the case with your trans, you will never get all three (3 each) springs and balls in their recessed bores until the trans is disassembled.

It could be worse; it happened to me while driving from Atlanta, Georgia to Spring Hill, Florida__over four hundred (>400) miles using 4th & 4th/ovd! Fortunately, the Healey has a lot of torque, and by retarding the timing until it didn't ping, I was still one of the quickest cars leaving the stoplights! Trick was to not slip the clutch any more than to get the car rolling, and let it lock up as quickly as possible, letting the torque do all the work.

Upon arriving at my bother's place, and using him to help me get the trans out, a trip to the local ACE Hdwr provided suitable replacement springs, and swapping the 3rd gear synchro for the 4th gear one on reassembly. I only lost a full day of my trip, and only because I had to wait for my brother to get home from work both days, to help get the trans out and back in (this taking place in the mid-80s, less than a year after breaking my back).

The 3rd/4th gear synchro hub being assembled:

You can follow through the sequence of pictures, beginning on the page linked below, to see how it's assembled and mates with the other components:
(the hub thumbnail-pictures are the 3 on the bottom row, and continued on the following page)
https://spcarsplus.com/gallery3/index.php/Healey-at-home/gearbox_work/sideshift_xmsn_assembly?page=8

 

[EV2239]

It's easy enough to take the gear lever out of the gearbox and have a look at the selectors or even see if you can move them.

 

[pasraf]

Bonsa,
Like Patrick67bj8 says
Look at your shift lever bush
Had this problem a few months ago,
The bush was worn out ,if I changed gear the selector shaft pin came out of the fork selector and damaged the fork. (and was uck in 4th gear
regards Raf

 

[Bondsa]

Bonsa,
Like Patrick67bj8 says
Look at your shift lever bush
Had this problem a few months ago,
The bush was worn out ,if I changed gear the selector shaft pin came out of the fork selector and damaged the fork. (and was uck in 4th gear
regards Raf

Thanks all I will have a look this weekend and let you know what I find
regards
Bondsa

 

[Bondsa]

Ok so an update re stuck in 4th. After checking the oil levels which were ok, maybe a little low in the gear box, ok in the clutch and it was engaging I pulled the top cover off and replaced the 3 springs on top of the ball bearings. These were a little worn and shorter than the new ones I replaced. I went for a drive still in 4th and manage to pop it out of gear when off load and now it seems to be working fine through all gears. I am guessing the worn springs allowed things to go too far and become stuck. Hopefully it is all ok with much driving to come. Thanks again for all your input. Bondsa.

 

[John Turney]

Thanks for getting back to us with what you found. It's how we increase the forum knowledge.