Technical Struggles going into reverse

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Technical Struggles going into reverse

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Hi all.

Just picked up a Stilo 1.8 16v Dynamic.

Seems not have any issue other than the below.

It's doesn't always like going into reverse and can be a bit of a struggle.

All other gears (5 speed btw) are absolutely fine.

Sometimes it'll go into reverse fine, other times you have to waggle the stick around and then it'll go in and sometimes I have to move slightly in first and then it'll go into reverse.

Anyone know what the issue might be.

Thanks a lot.

RuSZ
 
If you're approaching from standing, i.e. you've just got into your car and want to reverse off your drive, then this isn't that unusual.

If the cogs don't line up and the gears can't mesh then it'll not go in! Usually you'll find if you select another forward gear, say 3rd, then go for reverse you might find it'll then slide right in. I dont mean like you have to drive forward, just keep the clutch pressed, slide it in into third then slide it straight into reverse.

Nothing wrong as such - just sort of one of those things. Up shot is cars aren't really meant for going backwards.

As long as the rest of the gear feel fine and aren't crunching, overly notchy or lumpy to select, fails to select other gears or jumps out of gear don't worry about it.

There isnt any adjustment in the selector cables, so it's not like it's a maintenance thing or anything.

The only thing you want to be sure not to overlook is periodic change of the gearbox oil may help you. In this instance if you're concerned it may also be useful to drop the gearbox oil and check it doesnt shimmer / glitter which would suggest metallic pieces in the oil - suggesting gearbox wear or component failure. That's probably a bit extreme though.

Just live with her for a while, see how it goes and if it gets worse look to investigate but for now, just be happy and enjoy your new Stilo

Cheers!
 
If you're approaching from standing, i.e. you've just got into your car and want to reverse off your drive, then this isn't that unusual.

If the cogs don't line up and the gears can't mesh then it'll not go in! Usually you'll find if you select another forward gear, say 3rd, then go for reverse you might find it'll then slide right in. I dont mean like you have to drive forward, just keep the clutch pressed, slide it in into third then slide it straight into reverse.

Nothing wrong as such - just sort of one of those things. Up shot is cars aren't really meant for going backwards.

As long as the rest of the gear feel fine and aren't crunching, overly notchy or lumpy to select, fails to select other gears or jumps out of gear don't worry about it.

There isnt any adjustment in the selector cables, so it's not like it's a maintenance thing or anything.

The only thing you want to be sure not to overlook is periodic change of the gearbox oil may help you. In this instance if you're concerned it may also be useful to drop the gearbox oil and check it doesnt shimmer / glitter which would suggest metallic pieces in the oil - suggesting gearbox wear or component failure. That's probably a bit extreme though.

Just live with her for a while, see how it goes and if it gets worse look to investigate but for now, just be happy and enjoy your new Stilo

Cheers!

Thanks for your reply.

Please owner mention something about been told about greasing the selector and the cable.but never got round to it and lived with it.

Is this something you've heard of and anyone know where best to do this.

I can live with it as my driving to and from work doesn't tend to need and reversing, but guess it's best to sort it just in case.

Also tends to be better when the gearbox is warmer if that's any help.

Thanks again
 
You can grease the selector cables, yes. And I know how to do it.... But I think that's somewhat snake oil.

If you were struggling with movement of the shifter being stuff or not properly centering in neutral then say so and we can go through it.

Otherwise it's a box issue, not a selector issue.

If you feel that things are easier when warm that might be a good indicator that a gearbox oil change may be useful. For what it's going to cost - very little really - oil change would be my recommendation. Moreso if she's got a few miles under her belt. That might just help lubricate things a little better and make things a bit smoother.
 
You can grease the selector cables, yes. And I know how to do it.... But I think that's somewhat snake oil.

If you were struggling with movement of the shifter being stuff or not properly centering in neutral then say so and we can go through it.

Otherwise it's a box issue, not a selector issue.

If you feel that things are easier when warm that might be a good indicator that a gearbox oil change may be useful. For what it's going to cost - very little really - oil change would be my recommendation. Moreso if she's got a few miles under her belt. That might just help lubricate things a little better and make things a bit smoother.


I'll do both. Doesn't centre when in neutral. Still learning to get her into 3rd from 2nd. Haha.

I'll do the oil as well just to cover that off as well.

She's only done 50k. But she is 14yr old. :eek:
 
I'll do both. Doesn't centre when in neutral. Still learning to get her into 3rd from 2nd. Haha.

I'll do the oil as well just to cover that off as well.

She's only done 50k. But she is 14yr old. :eek:

Well why didn't you say that...... haha

OK, so not centering in neutral is a fairly easy fix, actually. If you're anywhere near Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire and want some help I'm happy to lend a hand.

You may need to remove the battery and battery tray for better access to the top of the gearbox for this. Easily done, it's just bolts!

So, have a look on top of the gearbox, in towards the middle of the car where the gearbox meets the engine and you'll find the selector cables.

The selector cables clip into a metal bracket on top of the gearbox and the ends of the cables then clip on to some actuating levers.

You'll see one of the cables - the rearward of the two I think - clips into a lever that runs on a bolt / rod through the bracket that it all connects to. On the other end of that rod is a finger that turns your left and right into an up and down motion for the selector forks in the gearbox.

Should look just like the attached. The pic is of an Alfa 156 actually but they're all the same design and this is a really clear pic.

You can see the rod with the ball pin on one end and the lever going off bottom right to the selector fork.

If you reference the bottom right of the pic you can see behind the nut that secures the lever to the forks there is a black plastic washer on the pivot pin.

They are a top hat shaped bush - there is one at either end.

Chances are these top hat bushes are worn and causing your stiff selector issue.

I'm pretty sure they're exactly the same as the Alfas and replacements are widely available for them for just a couple of quid but I wouldn't want you to spend your money and me be wrong! Replacements are hard to find listed against a Stilo.

A lot of people simply remove the plastic bushes to be honest. Take the pin / rod out. Clean the hole the pin runs through, clean the pin, apply a metric feck ton of grease and reassemble.

The bolt / pin and lever arm etc are all keyed so it's not like you can stuff it up reassembling and get it out of alignment or anything. It's all simple stuff. The selector cable itself will just unclip from the ball pin with light persuasion from a screw driver.

You may get away without battery remove and maybe just intake pipe removal, depends how skinny and bendy you are. I'm neither so I just take the new mins to give myself the room. Might be easier as I've never tried it on a 1.8 Stilo.
 

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Artermis maybe I should have mentioned the neutral thing in my first post. :eek: for some reason I didn't think they were related. Haha.

I'm not particularly near by. I'm in Leeds, so bit of a distance from Grimsby.

I'll have a look through your guidance and give it a go. I'm not particularly small and thin and bendy so battery out it is. Haha.

My short term solution is to stick it in reverse after a drive so I can move her if needed. And then hope I don't need it later. :)
 
Artermis maybe I should have mentioned the neutral thing in my first post. :eek: for some reason I didn't think they were related. Haha.

I'm not particularly near by. I'm in Leeds, so bit of a distance from Grimsby.

I'll have a look through your guidance and give it a go. I'm not particularly small and thin and bendy so battery out it is. Haha.

My short term solution is to stick it in reverse after a drive so I can move her if needed. And then hope I don't need it later. :)

Not a milion miles away if you get really stuck :)

Give it a look over and see how you get on. Like I say the access might be easier on a 1.8 than I've previously experienced and you might get away with it.

I'd wager the gearbox oil change will do you better than greasing up the selector bushings / pin for the reverse selection but either way the selector stiffness needs addressing, so it'll keep you out of mischief for a while :D:D
 
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