Hi Guys
I've just bought a Morris Mini Deluxe with a worked 1100 motor and 4 synchro remote shift gearbox and I just cannot get the thing into reverse.
I've done the following to try and fix the problem-all to no avail:Taken apart, thoroughly cleaned and re-greased the remote shifter mechanism (nothing foreign was in there). Drained the oil (this was filthy with lots of sludge in it) and put new oil in.
Checked the reverse detent and spring (the one under the large hex plug below the oil filter at the front of the box)-the spring comes out and the detent did move in and out a few millimetres but appears to be stuck in the cavity). I have another remote gearbox and the reverse spring and detent in this one came out easily with a magnet so I suspect this may have something to do with the problem. All other gears are OK and I'm a newbie at working on Minis (although I've worked on lots of Holdens and Toyotas). I'm after a couple of suggestions as to what I should be looking for or what to do next. I am thinking of just pulling the motor out and having a look inside the gearbox but would be keen for any suggestions that may work before I do this. Cheers Dave

It has probably sludged up the reverse gate plunger in the front of the box. I'd drain the oil and spray some degreaser in the hole, leave overnight then try to move the plunger in & out with a super strength magnet.
You might also be able to stick some narrow longnose pliers in there and grab the little locating spigot on top of the plunger.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks DrMini, I did try and pull the reverse spigot out with some narrow pliers just after the oil was drained and it did actually move up by a couple of millimetres. Tried this morning again but can't get the bugger out (seems to be binding on something). I'll give it a good soak with degreaser and try to pull it out again tomorrow.

Check The selector toggles at the back, make sure they are not turning on the splined shafts

_________________
" A Hundred Years From Now It will not Matter what my Bank Acount Was,
The Sort Of House I Lived in, Or The Kind Of Car I drove ... But The World May Be A Better Place
Because I was Once Important In The Life Of A Child"

seeing how your new to mini's i will state the obvious

You know to select reverse you need to hit it over a gate (its not lifting like other mini boxes).

Find neutral and bang it across towards the driver side and you feel it go through a gate and then pull it back.
Trying to find it like you would any other gear wont work it needs a bit more force.

_________________

Hi Bubbacluby
I've tried banging, forcing and eventually begging but it won't go over the gate. It basically stops at the point directly above 4th gear and will then go into 3rd and 4th but no amount of force (either gentle or aprupt) will make it go any further to the right. I didn't want to force it too much more in case something breaks
I do have another a old 3 synchro pudding stirrer box and have looked at how this works internally when the gears are selected (bang it to the right and down for reverse). I also have another 4 synchro remote box on an 1100 motor that works perfectly (selects all 4 gears and reverse). I'm thinking that if I can't get the problem sorted I'll swap the jammed gearbox for this one if I need to. Thanks for the advice though.

Hi John
Thanks, I'll have a look tomorrow.
Cheers
Dave

Have you tried lifting the gear lever while trying to access reverse?

_________________
Now with 2 extra ports!

That only works with a rodchange box (or a Ferguson TEA20 tractor)

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Has to be slapped into reverse, so as Doc says check the plunger and spigot out first.

_________________
Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Well im a complete noob at mini;s myself , and im sure youve probably tried just about everything sooooo try things ourside the box " so to speaak ".

Have tou checked that the gear lever isnt fouling against the body or linkage ?
Have you had someone rock the car back and forth " with the engine turned off " while you try to select reverse ?

Are all the mechanical linkages moving freeley and not getting caught antwhere ?

ohhhh and i think there's a post on here about a gearbox mod which actually stops you using reverse gear for some reason " was in the mini mods or conversion section " .

Edit : Found the post not sure if it applies to yours though maybe some pictires will help the more educated people here work it out .... http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=80379

Cheers bill

_________________
Project Pickles is ALIVE!!!!! Click Here!
Success is so much sweeter after the struggle

I've used a piece of wooden dowel to extract a binding reverse detent plunger. The diameter of the dowel needs to be a bit bigger than the spring and slightly tapered so you can jam it inside the plunger by pushing and twisting. You are trying to create a situation where the friction between the dowel and plunger is greater than the friction between the plunger and block. Lots of degreasing or penetrating fluid, together with subtle twisting, pushing and pulling of the dowel is usually successful. Certainly worth trying before resorting to pulling the whole thing apart.

_________________
ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

How much slop has the gear stick Got? Make sure the two knucles on top of the diff housing are not loose or worn and not moving the selector shaft far enough to get to the reverse gate.

_________________
DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

With the utmost respect to those who have talked about slop in the knuckles and play in the extension housing, the symptoms described by Dave whereby he can't move the gearstick to the right means the problem must be in the reverse gear selection within the gearbox, including the detent plunger. If the plunger is jammed tight then the symptoms he describes would appear. If it was loose knuckles he would be able to move the gearstick into the reverse position, which he can't.

_________________
ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Hi all
Thanks everyone for all the advice-I certainly have a few things to consider before I pull the motor out.
As winabbey and DrMini mentioned, the fact that the reverse detent plunger is stuck does suggest that the problem lies there.
I've now drained the new oil and have sprayed excessive amounts of degreaser into the detent/spring hole. Once this has soaked in I'll have another go at removing the detent plunger and let you know the outcome.
Cheers
Dave

_________________
Your imagination is only limited by the size of your wallet
"61 850 original and crusty (Mavis)
"64 Smooth Roof Van (Colin)
"67 Deluxe resto project (Monty)