Disco 95 - Manual Transmission - Hard to Shift into 1st and Reverse

Suresh

New member
May 8, 2017
4
0
California
D1 '95 with 5-speed manual transmission with about 180k miles on it. I noticed that the last couple of times I drove, it was difficult to shift into 1st gear or into reverse. When moving forward, I started with the second gear if it would not get into 1st. It was also difficult to get it into reverse to get the truck out of the drive way. Lucky for me, the slope in the driveway allowed me to roll backwards using gravity and get out of the driveway.

Once I get it going, other gears all work just fine.

Has anyone seen this problem? I searched the forum but was not able to get any previous posts with my situation.

Thanks.
 

Suresh

New member
May 8, 2017
4
0
California
Your clutch is not working properly. Check hidraulic cilynders for leaks. If all hidraulics is ok, then i'm afraid some springs of clutch plate are broken and a clutch change is needed. Don't use a manual gearbox with clutch trouble in order not to damage it.

Regards
Thanks for the input. I will look into the clutch hydraulics and then the clutch plate.

Cheers,
Suresh
 

4Runner

Well-known member
May 24, 2007
660
110
Boise Idaho
Could be your synchro’s. If your clutch is working for the other gears or let’s you put it in a different gear while stopped, then it’s your synchros in the transmission. Try moving the vehicle by bumping it in second and then selecting first or reverse. If you have trouble getting it into any gear at a stop then it is probably your clutch/ hydraulic system. Mine is also starting to do that as well. It’s about that time.
 

Suresh

New member
May 8, 2017
4
0
California
Could be your synchro’s. If your clutch is working for the other gears or let’s you put it in a different gear while stopped, then it’s your synchros in the transmission. Try moving the vehicle by bumping it in second and then selecting first or reverse. If you have trouble getting it into any gear at a stop then it is probably your clutch/ hydraulic system. Mine is also starting to do that as well. It’s about that time.
I am able to get it into other gears when stopped. It just won't let me put it into 1st or reverse (most times). Yes, when I bump it into 2nd gear and then try reverse, or first, I do succeed most times (not always).

One question, I have @4Runner, does the synchro get involved when the drive shaft to the wheels is stationary (like when I am stopped)?

Thanks
 
Mmm, if there is a locker for instance, you feel some times this difficulty because some torsion is remaining in propshafts, that doesn't allow gears to move in order to get into gear. You can try the same with transfer in "Neutral". If trouble is not present, then difficult is coming from these "non free moving" transmission parts

Regards
 

4Runner

Well-known member
May 24, 2007
660
110
Boise Idaho
I must plead ignorance. I know what I know about transmissions but not much more. It’s the one component that I usually take to a professional to have rebuilt. It would be my guess that the synchros are always working to keep the gears meshing. Even if both the input and the output shafts are not rotating, it’s the synchros that rotates the gear just enough to keep the gears from going tooth to tooth when shifting into a gear. I am probably just going to buy a new trans when mine is shot.
 
Syncros are conical rings that stop the other gear by friction when being displaced, so that they get same speed when engaging. Actually the operation is smoother, if all axes are turning. If everything is stopped, syncro shape does not influence and everything depends on the rounded tip of the grooves, which when forced with the lever, allow the deviation. The syncro that is first worn on a R380 box is the second gear one, and it does so many miles away. I disarmed the box to check it at 300,000km and it was all as new, only a small tapered bearing between input and output shaft showed wear. Manual boxes are more rudimentary than automatic ones. Being stopped the Disco with braked axes can cause discomfort. Try selecting transfer in neutral, if then all gears engage quickly after clutch depress, you can be confident your R380 is free of wear.

Regards
 
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Suresh

New member
May 8, 2017
4
0
California
The shop found a leak in the clutch master cylinder. Got that replaced, and the Rover is shifting fine.

Thanks for the inputs, gents.

Suresh