Can't Get it into Reverse
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Can't Get it into Reverse
I have a 71 four speed and can not get it into reverse. It has been a little "sticky" lately, but yesterday it was impossible. I am pretty sure it is the linkage, but I have never adjusted it before on any car. Going into 1st to 4th is fine, just reverse. The transmition seems fine while driving, just can not get it into reverse.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
You might not need adjustment...
First check that the reverse pull lever is acutally working...
Unscrew the shifter ball. Take the reverse pull, spring, and rod out.
With this removed... try putting the car in reverse. If it does you want to inpsect why the rod is not being pulled high enough to let it go in reverse while connected.
If this isn't the problem... check underneath the car and see if anything is binding up the linkage... have a friend shift the car through the gears while you inspect.
First check that the reverse pull lever is acutally working...
Unscrew the shifter ball. Take the reverse pull, spring, and rod out.
With this removed... try putting the car in reverse. If it does you want to inpsect why the rod is not being pulled high enough to let it go in reverse while connected.
If this isn't the problem... check underneath the car and see if anything is binding up the linkage... have a friend shift the car through the gears while you inspect.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
Ok so you are able to get it over to the left far enough that it would normally go up into reverse... if you are absolutly sure about this then it isn't going to be the first part I said with taking the ball off.
Go under the car and check for binding like in the second thing I said.
If that still isn't it... try moving the car a little back in forth (while off of course) while trying to get it into rev....
I'm trying to think of things to check before saying... "ok you need a rebuild" or "need to make linkage adjustments".
Go under the car and check for binding like in the second thing I said.
If that still isn't it... try moving the car a little back in forth (while off of course) while trying to get it into rev....
I'm trying to think of things to check before saying... "ok you need a rebuild" or "need to make linkage adjustments".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
try putting the muncie in second before going into reverse, this should clear the gears and allow you to put it into reverse, if not its time to get underneath the car for a visual inspection of the linkage and shifter
BTW i do this all the time now out of habit, from a previously corrected problem
cheers
tim
BTW i do this all the time now out of habit, from a previously corrected problem
cheers
tim
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 174
From: Fort Wayne IN
Originally Posted by genuine1980
This is a manual. There is a cable going to the column? I never saw one on mine?
Yes, this happened to my 76 after being parked for a long time.
The reverse lock cable goes from your reverse linkage to a lever on the steering column. When you park the car in reverse and then take out the key, this lever actuates a cable and locks the transmission in reverse. If the cable is bent/rusted/etc, it may make your transmission either stuck in reverse or unable to get into reverse.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...AFA7BFDD1736D0
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 851
Likes: 10
From: Palm City, FL
Originally Posted by bluthundr
Yes, this happened to my 76 after being parked for a long time.
The reverse lock cable goes from your reverse linkage to a lever on the steering column. When you park the car in reverse and then take out the key, this lever actuates a cable and locks the transmission in reverse. If the cable is bent/rusted/etc, it may make your transmission either stuck in reverse or unable to get into reverse.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...AFA7BFDD1736D0
The reverse lock cable goes from your reverse linkage to a lever on the steering column. When you park the car in reverse and then take out the key, this lever actuates a cable and locks the transmission in reverse. If the cable is bent/rusted/etc, it may make your transmission either stuck in reverse or unable to get into reverse.
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...AFA7BFDD1736D0
