hi im having a bit of trouble with my old ducato, the problem is wierd i can change gears up 1 to 5 ok but when i come to a junction or bend i cannot change down to 2nd or 1st unless im at a standstill .
theres no crunching it just refuses point blank to evan attempt to engage either gear. just 3/4/5/r are all ok garage told me synchro on 2nd but theres no unusual noises or whinning nowt so before i embark on a gearbox change any ideas please thanks

My Ducato did this when I got it but would go into gear eventually. I changed the gearbox oil and added some gearbox additive, It's a lot better now, still baulks occasionally, just a bit stiff going into 2nd. Maybe worth trying before you go any further.

hi thanks i have obtained a cd off ebay but the rebuild of the j5 box isnt clear its all blures, does anyone know where i can see clear pics for the box rebuild ?

does this have the famous external 5th gear ?
that has been known to cause some gear selection problems in the main box when out of adjustment

yes it has but i can get all gears cleanly going up the box but lose 2/1 when slowing down ? box now stripped cannot see any visible damage just wanted clear diagrams of gears to compare

do you mean you have stripped the 5th gear box , or the main box

there is a link here somewhere to a beautifully constructed manual on the 5th gear box

stripped complete box to check all syncro/ springs

certainly looks like adjustment then
personally I would put my hand in my pocket and take it to a specialist to have all the gaps measured ...couldn't bear to put it back and find it was the same !

could still be the external linkages though , it is cable operated , is it not ?

hi yes its cable, had a gearbox specialist drive it and they said 2nd synchro thats why i stripped but only to find no probs ?

personally I would take it to them and ask what is supposed to be wrong with 2nd synchro !!! they have no excuse for not being able to SHOW you if there is a problem

maybe they can see something you can't now !
but if I were a betting man I would still be putting my money on the 5th gear adjustment and /or the cables

btw , when did a gearbox specialist last say ...nothing wrong with it , just adjust the cables , 5 minute job ; and yes ,I am a cynic

to right just after money robbing xxxxx