Technical Gear selection problem

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Technical Gear selection problem

columbiers

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I'm really hoping someone can help with this as I'm at my wits end with it!
Just changed the clutch in my 2004 1.2 Panda. All went well, gearbox out, clutch changed and gearbox back in. Initially all worked fine on a test drive. Next day though and now I cannot select reverse.

Looking at the gear linkages they both move when someone operates the gearstick. Both are attached. It's the same engine running or not, reverse can't be selected, everything looks fine at the stick end.

Can the cable be adjusted at the gearbox end, if so how? Or does anyone have any other ideas? Really frustrated as the clutch was a big job and seemed to be fine, now this :bang:
 
Is the clutch biting point quite low?

If so then it will be clutch drag. The first thing to check would be clutch hydraulics. To change the clutch you'd have taken the slave cylinder off and it's possible the piston came out a little too far unless you were able to clamp it in somehow. On pushing it back in you may have introduced a slug of air. How does the pedal feel?

When I changed my clutch I didn't adequately tighten (and loctite) the pressure plate retaining bolts so after about a thousand miles I started to have gear engagement problems due to clutch drag. I had to take the whole lot out again. Hopefully that's not your issue.
 
I've rebled the clutch, it's operating fine in first gear, there's definitely no air left in it.
I've ordered some new gear cables, will try swapping those. I'm now at the point of trying swapping parts and hoping it solves it. Given the value of the car if the cables don't work I'm probably at the point of scrapping/selling on as spares/repairs so hopefully new cables will solve this.
 
Hi,does the gear lever feel like it did before,or more play,and does the gear lever still sit in the “middle”when in neutral.

Lot more play, doesn't sit in the "natural" neutral position like it used to. Moving it side to side in neutral has a lot more play and also feels looser.
 
I've rebled the clutch, it's operating fine in first gear, there's definitely no air left in it.
I've ordered some new gear cables, will try swapping those. I'm now at the point of trying swapping parts and hoping it solves it. Given the value of the car if the cables don't work I'm probably at the point of scrapping/selling on as spares/repairs so hopefully new cables will solve this.

Where is the biting point on the clutch pedal?
 
Around half way, not low but not high like it was with the old clutch
 
Can you engage reverse by giving the levers on top of the gearbox an extra little shove while someone operates them inside the car ??

Yes I can, and if if I do that and then restart the car with the clutch down reverse then works and I can reverse.
 
You need to get rid of the side to side movement. Did you remove the linkage from the ball and socket,or did you undo the 13mm nut and remove the plate?
 
Popped both the ball joints off, also unbolted the plate that carries the lower cable, three bolts held it to the box. All went back on seemingly in same place, can't see a way of adjusting it to tighten it back up? There's an adjuster at the gearstick end but that doesn't seem to make any difference at all.
 
Not really, it moves when moved side to side in neutral but I've no idea how much is too much or how to take out the movement?
 
Put it in a gear and then,while in gear,move the stick side to side,if you have play,that’s your fault. Check the 3x13mm also check the top 13mm nut on the adjuster plate(has the ball on,for the socket) there is a square to locate it in the correct position.
 
Yes I can, and if if I do that and then restart the car with the clutch down reverse then works and I can reverse.

Sound like what I have on First. I couldn't get First via the stick but was fine by manually moving the selector on the gearbox


I could improve the situation by cleaning the inner cable with meths then adding a drop of engine oil to them


Seeing the ball joints have been apart I would also clean these up


Warning ⚠ grease is a bad idea. It was suggest in an earlier thread so I tried this First. All the dirt fly's up and sticks to it. Had to clean it all off.



Unfortunately for me mine would only last a few week then needed cleaning again. In the end I changed the cables.
 
Put it in a gear and then,while in gear,move the stick side to side,if you have play,that’s your fault. Check the 3x13mm also check the top 13mm nut on the adjuster plate(has the ball on,for the socket) there is a square to locate it in the correct position.

This is it! Thank you so much!

It's the top 13mm nut, when I tightened it I regained reverse, but lost fifth. I've now loosened it to a point where I have all gears. It's still quite loose though and I can't see a square to locate it? Can you elaborate on where/what the square is?
 
When you remove the top 13mm nut ,you will see the square shape. The square of the shaft has to fit throu this. Take care,do Not let the shaft drop into the gear box,it’s not the end of the world,but about 30/45mins to cure! Hold the shaft up using a screw driver from the side to push against the shaft!
 
when you remove the top 13mm nut ,you will see the square shape. The square of the shaft has to fit throu this. Take care,do not let the shaft drop into the gear box,it’s not the end of the world,but about 30/45mins to cure! Hold the shaft up using a screw driver from the side to push against the shaft!



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