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Technical  Gearbox gone solid??

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Technical  Gearbox gone solid??

mightygeorge

mightygeorge

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Hi there - need your help please!!

So i got this second hand gearbox and 126p engine to put on my 1965 500f that's undergone full restoration but since i mounted it i have noticed that the gear lever pretty damn stiff and it's impossible to engage any gears. It's not the linkage (it's new) and it's not a matter of adjusting the screws on the right hand side of the tunnel as this is not a problem on odd or even gears - none will engage! It's not a problem with the gear stick as when i disconnect the linkage that moves freely. The problem seems to be that the gear selector rod doesn't want to move so i've probably messed something up along the way.

Before installing the engine on the car i changed the clutch and pressure plate, opened up the diff and replaced the 126 driveshafts to the correct 500 ones. Other than that the engine and gearbox have not been messed with and i have had guarantee that they were working previously. I have adjusted the clutch to have the correct 3mmm of play (which seems a bit excessive but that's what haynes say is correct).

Any thoughts???
 
This EXACTLY what has happened to me....word for word
I have tried forcing the sector lever into the gearbox, loosened the ball bearing retaining spring plate to free up the selector rods - and got now where.
I have completed the rest of the build and its a couple of hours work from being ready - and its still stuck in gear.
Next is to drop it onto its wheels and rock it back and forwards THEN is start it in gear on axle stands......
 
With the flexible coupling disconnected you should be able to get a small swing on the remote control rod quite easily as it swings in neutral between the locations on the end of the selector rods. If not the problem may be within the extension housing. Engaging a gear requires a fair bit of force to overcome the resistance of the detent balls and springs but the mechanical advantage of the gear lever is designed to overcome this. If the selector rods refuse to shift then the problem could be with the interlock plungers at the inner ends of the rods.
 
I released the indent balls and it did not help
I believe that with the clutch loading up the final drive, things have become tight
 
I do not think that the clutch can apply any pressure to the gearbox as the connection is via the sliding spline on the input shaft and the clutch plate. Drive then transmitted through the gearbox via the main shaft to the diff.
 
Hi Andrew - how weird that we should both have the same problem. I can't actually seem to find any other posts or any info on the troubleshooting versions of a couple of manuals. I was also thinking of jacking the back of the car and starting it up as it's about the last thing stopping me from starting her up (oh and that I don't have any fuel yet but that's easily sorted!!).




I like the idea of the twisted mountings - I will loosen them both and see if that makes any difference!


I have the original gearbox and can easily pull and push the selector rod in different gears just by sticking a screwdriver in the hole of the rod. This one just won't budge... Please let me know if you manage to figure it out.


Incidentally - I think I may have messed up a bit when replacing the driveshafts as I manage to lose the markings I made on the adjuster retainment rings and potentially replaced them in an incorrect position. What could be the ill effects of such a c*** up??
 
You can't affect the selector system by changing the diff as its the other end of the box. I agree with Toshi that the clutch shouldn't affect it either.
The only thing that can affect it would be if the selector arm has locked up in the selector forks, sounds like you need to remove the end casing for some investigation work.
 
unfourtunately I agree...............thats whats been putting me off lying under it....
 
Hi Andrew - just wondered if you found a solution to it?? Been putting this job off and doing everything else in the meantime... Was hoping i won't have to pull the whole box out but it looks more and more likely that i will have to...
 
Ha-ha been feeling exactly the same - I was even thinking of asking you same question
I'm going to pull the whole power train next week and sort it !
 
Lol - i'll leave you to it then ;) I need to finish off the interior and windows and hopefully by then you would have found the solution for both of us!
 
Yup I've kinda known this for a while now......I was hoping the fairy's were going to fix it......I've got to pull the power train now.....
 
Hello Guys

Have you had any luck resolving your issues. I seem to have the same problem having put a 126 gearbox and engine in. I cannot select any gears or should I say the gearstick will not budge. I have only just put everything back in so will be really disappointed if I have to remove the engine and gearbox and start again.

Peter
 
I had no luck so have pulled the power train out and swapped the box for my new five speeder
I will be popping the "stuck" four speeder open and looking what's up in the next few days
 
Tin Tin said:
Hello Guys

Have you had any luck resolving your issues. I seem to have the same problem having put a 126 gearbox and engine in. I cannot select any gears or should I say the gearstick will not budge. I have only just put everything back in so will be really disappointed if I have to remove the engine and gearbox and start again.

Peter
Click to expand...

Did you check selecting gears before you put the box in? If not, take off gear linkage and see if you can move gear selector on box back and forwards and twist with a screwdriver. It's hard to move it, so don't worry if it feels very stiff to get it moving it backwards and forwards.

Once you are happy that the selector is moving ok, refit the gear linkage and then undo the two side bolts on the gear stick enclosure to loosen it. Move it by about 10mm in either direction and tighten bolts. Hopefully you can now select some of the gears ok. Try selecting all gears. I'm trying to remember, but IIRC, if 1st and 3rd are not engaging fully, undo the two side bolts again and move gear stick enclosure forward, or If 2nd & 4th are not, move it backwards. It's a bit of a pain, but keep trying until you get all gears, including reverse, engaging ok.

While you're doing this make sure the top plate at the base of the gear stick is not restricting movement. Undo it while you're adjusting everything.

I hope this helps

Steve
 
Last edited:
My selector will not move at all
Didn't check before fitting !
Gave up and have put the 5 speeder that I'd planned all along
 
Hi Andrew - where did you source your 5 speeder from please? I recently bought a new gearbox as well. The problem I am having with this one is that whilst the forward gears are fine, going in reverse sounds bloody horrible. The whole car is shaking etc. I am pretty sure it's not the mounts etc as they are new so really worried it's the new polish box... Are the 5 speeders any more reliable??
 
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