A610 Gearbox Reverse selection

[The Saint]

Hi All,
As some of you know, I have been restoring my A610 for sometime, and I have now got it back YAY!
Anyway, I now have a huge issue. I cannot select reverse...
I drove the car home fine. and even reversed it into the garage ( I did have to "Play" to find reverse ) but managed.
Last night I pulled the car out, to do a few outstanding jobs, in prep for the MOT. but when I went to put the car away, I could not select reverse, not matter what I did... car running, stopped, rocking it etc etc. I ended up pushing it back into the garage
I cannot take the car for an MOT like this. I have done a search for this issue on the site, and it does seem to show up now and then.
Not sure if changing the oil would help?? but I have noticed that the lever does seem to sit more towards the passenger side than center, when in neutral... not sure if there is a way to centralize it? I have checked the lock out cable too and that seems ok??
I asked the painter about if he had any issues with this, as I also noticed the gear knob was loose and the leather gaiter was loose too. He said that it did play up, but he just left it in reverse when ever possible... So this has been an issue for some time.
Any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks
Vince..

Are all the forwards gears OK ? Check that the ball linkage assembly is seated in the sockets fully and also check interlock cable locking nut is tight .

[stephendell]

Also check the shift rods aren't bent.

It was OK before it went to paint ?I'm sure I had no issues with it after rebuild . Long time ago I know ...

[The Saint]

Hi Lee,
When I drove it home it was fine, but never went over 30mph so never got it into 5th but the other were fine.. Once home It did play up trying to get it into reverse, and it always has been a little difficult but it seems to have slowly got worse, over time, so as you say, I need to check if the ball things are coming out etc. The painter was not so gentle as i am... so may have popped something out. just need to get under it tomorrow and see. will check the bars too... but I doubt they are bent as it would have been more of an issue before now.
thanks...

[BIG_MVS]

Didn't you have the centre console and most of the interior out Vince? Is it worth checking the nylon bush under the actual lever is fitted correctly in case it's come out?

[The Saint]

Ok I have been in the garage messing about... checked all the bushings and plastic parts under the gear lever inside the car..
All look fine. The only thing that looks "off" is the lever is more to the passenger side when in neutral... So I decided to yank it over to the drivers side and forced it, so it looks more central. After forcing it over for a while, the car now selects reverse!
So I am guessing that with the painter being a little heavy handed with finding reverse, the selector rods may have been bent a little. Anyway I have forced the lever over to the drivers side, and left it there over night, just to see if this has any effect on it. Tomorrow I am going under the car to see if the other end of the rod has moved and try to reset it!! So fingers crossed, we may have a result!!
Will update tomorrow. Thanks to all those that advised!!
Vince..

How about....disconnecting the rods and then reconnecting them.
They may line up slightly differently and then work.

That's a nice job, well it's going to be raining tomorrow what else would you want to do on a Sunday

[The Saint]

Ok After much messing about and eventually getting under the car, for a good look etc.. I now know why I cannot always get reverse. It's not bad linkages, like a few said, but thanks for the advise... Its the release gate mechanism. I think that the painter, who has had the care for a long time, is a little more heavy handed than I... or the age of the component was showing its age and with extra forcing of selection, has now given up and broke.

20160619_122717.jpg

20160619_122730.jpg

As you can see in the photos the end of the outer cable is missing... not sure if there is some kind of bezel around the end of the cable that has shattered off, but I will know more, once I find a replacement. ( If I ever do!! ) Just hoping that the 21 Turbo has the same part!! but I doubt it!!
Anyway, my advise to other owners... when you select reverse, please be gentle when lifting the selector,as I think the plastic ends of the cable are now becoming fragile with age..
Any assistance is appreciated.
Regards
Vince.

I have a spare used cable mate.If you want to bring the car over we can swap it out.Unfortunately the tunnel will need lifting though as the cable is cable tied to a bracket where it pokes through

[The Saint]

Hi Lee...
I cannot move the car, as still no MOT so I may just pop up and collect it, if thats ok?
Yes I know about removing the centre console within the car... Been there... got the Tee shirt!!
Thanks will text you at some point
Vince

Whatever suits .I could book you a MOT at the same time so be legal to drive Argument being near 'specialist'

[The Saint]

Good idea, but knowing my luck something would go wrong... I'll play safe and just pop up and then can sort the fitting as a when...
A friend came up with an idea, to make a collet to slip around the cable and slot in the space?? Maybe a quick fix to sort the MOT and then get the cable changed later?? When the car is mobile?? Not such a nice place to be under a car with very limited space...

[phildini]

Good idea, but knowing my luck something would go wrong......

It'snothing to do with luck, it's standard A610 ownership