Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

[Grahame M.]

Hi all,

I've been working on my car for some time now but i'm getting closer to getting it back on the ground. A little while ago i replaced the rear gearbox mount and since then (i think) i can't turn the rear wheels (locked) or select rev gear.

I'm hoping someone on this forum has experienced this and has a remedy. I've obviously put something back in the wrong place. I've attached a couple of picks of the location of the selectors. The car isn't running yet and still on stands but i can select all 4 forward gears.

Cheers
Grahame

[Edward J.]

Re: Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

Grahame, is the the reverse lock out working correctly? The rod protrudes down on the bottom of shifter to stop it from going into reverse while driving in forward gears. Another thing you can do is just remove the shifter knob and remove the rod and lever and see if you can select reverse. Also note that some times rotating the rear wheels may help with selecting reverse, reverse is not synchronized if the two gears are clashing with each other you be able to select reverse. Hope this helps,Ed

[James G.]

Re: Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

IF the rear wheels are off the ground the half shafts may be in a bind.

[Alan D.]

Re: Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

& Maybe in two gears, remove linkage and position in neutral position.

[Harry S.]

Re: Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

& Maybe in two gears, remove linkage and position in neutral position.

I agree with Alan, I caused this problem on my car as a nut loosened on the linkage. Had to crawl under the car, reset everything to neutral and tighten it up.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

I agree with above, sounds like it's in reverse and a forward gear. I intencially do that when installing a 4 speed. and have had nasty calls when some installed and moved the reverse lever while installing. One broke the case at the reverse idler when he popped the clutch.

Dom

[Grahame M.]

Re: Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

Thanks everyone for your quick responses.

I had a look yesterday and all linkages seem to be free as well as shifter. I have stands under chassis and shock mount (so everything didn't hang against new rubbers) so it might have caused this problem.

Edward, I'll check that tonight. I could pull lockout up against spring and could move to the left but would go into Reverse. I'll also remove the take tailshaft from diff end to see if wheels turn, that should tell me where the problem is.

If it is in reverse how do I get it out? I have tried moving the Rev selector (with the others in neutral) to no avail. Will I have to loosen everything around rear mount, brackets and crossmembers to allow me to move out of reverse, if Edward's recommendations don't work?

Cheers
Grahame

[Domenic T.]

Re: Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

Grahame,
Reverse should move unless it is not in slot in back plate.

Dom

[Grahame M.]

Re: Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

Thanks Dom,

Is the back plate part of everything around the shift mechanism I would have loosened or taken out when changing the rear G/Box mount? The car was in neutral when I did the work.

Cheers
Grahame

[Domenic T.]

Re: Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

Grahame,
Reverse should move unless it is not in slot in back plate.

Dom

Actually, I meant the rear housing, The fork that moves reverse gear is hard to stab. When correct it will allow you to move reverse lever back and forth. There is a pin that has to be removed behind the shifting lever, then you pull the linkage arm out to get the fork in place. That's if I understand what your dealing with.
We used to do this to bad guys when they were in the movies. We would lay on the ground and moved the reverse lever. and he was doomed. Now, I only showed how that was done and couldn't do it to any one, but usually the bad guy had someones girl friend at the movies and the boyfriend was real mad.

Dom

[Grahame M.]

Re: Rear Wheels locked and can't select Reverse gear

Thanks Dom,

I'll have a look at this later today.

Cheers
Grahame