Reverse gear difficulty

[benfell100]

I am finding it increasingly difficult to get the gearstick into reverse. Almost like the stick doesn't move the levers far enough to get round. Is this a sign of worn/loose rod ends on the cables or worn mechanism or is it something more expensive? Clutch seems to work fine and it was only recently serviced. It is still usable but my concern is growing and I want to nip it in the bud before it causes me more aggro
Cheers
Dom

[lotusguy]

benfell100 said:

I am finding it increasingly difficult to get the gearstick into reverse. Almost like the stick doesn't move the levers far enough to get round. Is this a sign of worn/loose rod ends on the cables or worn mechanism or is it something more expensive? Clutch seems to work fine and it was only recently serviced. It is still usable but my concern is growing and I want to nip it in the bud before it causes me more aggro Cheers Dom

Dom,

I suspect it may be merely a crossgate issue. Try adjusting the cable length slightly and see if that doesn't fix you up. IMSM, you will want to shorten the cable slightly to accomplish a reverse gear problem. But, take care not to overdo it or you'll be setting yourself up for a 1st gear problem. Happy Motoring! ...Jim'85TE

[cnh1990]

sometimes on the Stevens cars some of the plastic guides get worn down with flat spots and can cause problems. As a temp fix just rotate the flat spots to a different position and then order new ones.

[Esprit2]

Calvin is on the right track. The cross gate solution applies to the Citroen gearbox.

Regards,
Tim Engel
Lotus Owners Oftha North

[lotusse89]

cnh1990 said:

sometimes on the Stevens cars some of the plastic guides get worn down with flat spots and can cause problems. As a temp fix just rotate the flat spots to a different position and then order new ones.

I Think what Calvin is talking about is the reverse inhibitor bushing can get worn. Also when it wears, it tends to cut into the aluminum reverse inhibitor plate. This makes it difficult to get into 2nd gear, since the socket head cap screw that holds the bushing onto the shift lever gets stuck in the groove that it creates. You can see this on my website here.
www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=shifter


The problem getting into reverse is probably a problem with lubrication or adjustment of the translator on the cross shaft at the back of the Renault 88+ (UK) or 89+(US) transmission. Since DOM has a 94 S4 he will have the Renault tranny.

Dom,
I would say, lubricate and check the adjustment of the rear translator at the back of the transmission. It is easy to accestt from beneath, depending on what exhaust you have. Have a friend move the shifter and call out the gears, whn they move it to reverse, you'll be able to see which way to extend the throw.

Also you can disconnect the cables and move the translator by hand to see how far it should pivot to get into each gear, then have the person hold the shifter at the position for reverse, and see if the cables are too short or too long.

Here is the translator


After thinking about it, there is another thing that can happen, the outer shifter tube can get turned around, and the two pins which are mean't to help keep you from getting into reverse, can be in a place where you really can't get into reverse! Most positions though, you won't be able to get into any gear, but take a look at it any way.

here's what they look like

two pins straddling a wall. try lifting your reverse lockout collar and spinning it with your fingers. if it spins, spin it slowly, while you keep trying to lower it. If it lowers down, try moving the shifter through all the gears. Some positions it won't work for any gears, and some positions will work for all but reverse. If that is the case, then find the position where it does work for all, and make sure the shift knob isn't comming off, since that will allow the outer shift collar to come up and spin around more easily (it'll have to be guled back down).


Travis
Vulcan Grey 89SE
www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey

>> Edited by lotusse89 on Tuesday 22 March 05:25

>> Edited by lotusse89 on Tuesday 22 March 05:44

>> Edited by lotusse89 on Tuesday 22 March 05:46

[MikeyRide]

lotusse89 said:

Here is the translator

I keep staring at that picture. I must be losing it. The translator is on the DRIVER'S side on your car?

[bojangles]

where did you get the new inner rubber boot? my dealer seems kinda useless at getting parts for me. I've been after them since about June of last year for one.
Bruce
S4s

[lotusse89]

bojangles said:

where did you get the new inner rubber boot? my dealer seems kinda useless at getting parts for me. I've been after them since about June of last year for one. Bruce S4s

Get the rubber boot from a jeep dealer, I've heard.

I got mine from JAE, and only later noticed that it was $60.

Travis
Vulcan Grey 89SE
www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey/

[lotusse89]

MikeyRide said:

lotusse89 said: Here is the translator I keep staring at that picture. I must be losing it. The translator is on the DRIVER'S side on your car?

You are correct sir, the 89-93 Esprit had the transmission with the translator on the left (USA driver's side)

The 93.5-97 Esprit had the rear housing mirrored, and the translator is on the right (UK driver's side). The 98+ Esprits have direct pus/pull on one cable, and direct rotate on the other cable, and do not use a translator.

The instructions I gave would work for any renault tranny 88(uk) 89-97 Esprit. Except the 91 (USA only) X180-R which had a plastic reverse inhibitor, and the central tunnel, where the shifter is, is impossible to get into (all glued, no screws).

Travis
Vulcan Grey 89SE
www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey

[Dr.Hess]

$60 is an ouchie. I've been trying to find one less than $15 at JC Whitney. CJ5, according to Jim 85TE. NAPA doesn't seem to carry them anymore. Found a part number somewhere but the NAPA people said no NAPA DC's in the country had it in stock and it would have to be special ordered from the manufacturer, and I'd have to pay for it up front, no refund, etc., and I wasn't 100% sure on the part number so I blew it off. Looks like I'll dig up that JC Whitney part number. Surely there is something else I need from them.

Dr.Hess