SS 6-speed reverse popping out!

[blockovyss]

Hey guys, i'm only new to this forum but i've got a bit of a dilema.

Reverse has been popping out on my ute for a while but now its getting worse. Taken to mechanic shop, they scratched theirs heads, and holden dealer just wants to sell me a nu box for $3700 plus labour!

Ok so shifter feels like its travelling far enough, clutch is engaging properly, and only does it in reverse. Also, once it has popped out, it grinds on the gear, and will go in fine after pushing past the grind-age! Has anyone seen or heard of this happening, and if so how do i overcome it? Parking is gettin to be a real headache, and not too keen on a tranny change just for this lil problem! Any advice would be appreciated!

Cheers
BLOCKOVYSS

[Calaber]

Don't know diddly about the design of your trans, but it sounds as though the detent spring is broken. If the gears are held in place by spring loaded balls which press into recesses in the shift shafts, the spring holding the reverse detent ball would be the first place I'd look.

And if that is the problem, I can't imagine why a mechanic wouldn't think of it first thing. Forget the dealer - they just see the opportunity for a big sale. Wonder what they'd do with your old box once it was out?

[bluethunder_69]

ive got this same problem but in 3rd gear

[Kordorn]

If not a detent then possibly a selector fork is bent.
This scenario is more likely when force is applied repetively to a gear selection. (Usually not the case in reverse)
This can be from mis-use or caused by another problem forcing the operator to engage more harshly.

[STEALTHY™]

I had the problem of grinding into reverse with my T5. Selecting 5th would overcome it.


Havn't had (and hope i don't) have a problem with the T56. Try putting it in 5th or 6th, then go back into reverse.

[UNKNOWN]

Same problem with my t5 aswell, but as Stealthy said going into 5th then reverse seems to work all the time...

[JD]

i have the reverse grinding problem, you can overcome it by also selecting 1st then reverse, works for me anyway.

[Calaber]

Gear clash when selecting reverse is common in many cars because there is usually no synchro on reverse. Selecting a forward gear then reverse is an old and effective trick around the problem.

Re the reverse pop-out, a bent selector shaft would be rare, as it takes a fair bit of force to achieve. These boxes are built to take a heap of torque and you would expect that they could take a bit of abuse. I still favour the detent mechanism.

[blockovyss]

Ok thanks for the feedback guys, sounds like the detent spring is a good place to start. I have tried the ol try a differnt gear before reverse and that doesn't appear to make any difference. So VYII BERLINA can u tell me the best way to check the detent spring? I'm guessing it will still invlove taking out the box and splitting it?

Has anyone here taken out a t56 yet? What sort of heartache can i expect? I suppose changing bearings etc wouldn't b a bad idea while its out?

[Calaber]

Well, I had a look at the Ellery's manual tonight and it actually covered the T56....sort of. I sure wouldn't want to pull a box apart using it as a guide.

First surprise - there is a synchro on reverse! So those of you that have problems selecting reverse shouldn't. Don't ask me why.

Second - no mention of any detents at all, but as the manual doesn't seem to cover the shift mechanism to any extent, that shouldn't surprise anyone.

It does appear though, that any internal work will involve box removal. The shift lever and shift rails appear to be mounted in the rear extension housing, which might be a good place to start, but before pulling out the spanners, there are a few checks you could try.

Does the shift lever go fully home in the reverse position? It might be fouling on the console or the floor pan, or something might have falled inside the console which is preventing the gear lever from fulling selecting reverse. Lift the lid on the console to check it out.
Can you feel any light spring loading as the gear is selected which would indicate that a detent ball is being pushed home? I gather the T56 is a pretty clunky box, so you might not feel anything.
Does the shift feel any different now to what it did when reverse worked correctly? Does reverse pop out the instant you release the clutch, or does the car start to move then the gear jumps out?

There is one more thing that is a vague possibility. The T56 is fitted with a reverse lockout solenoid, on the external top rear left side of the box, immediately next to the shift lever cover. (Don't confuse it with the speed sensor, which is below it about half way down the side of the rear extension) It's held in with one bolt. If there is any fault with the solenoid, it could be jamming or sticking and preventing reverse from fully selecting. Try removing the solenoid, then seeing if the gear will select more fully. Test the solenolid to see if it is moving freely for the full distance that it should.

All guesswork, but it will cost you nothing and just might do the trick.

If none of these checks help out, then it's out with the spanners and the box. Good luck.

Regards

pj

[blockovyss]

Thanks very much pj! I'll get onto that stuff on the weekend and let u know how i go. Once again i appreciate ur info! Cheers