TVR 350i/Rover Gearbox Probs

[danny hoffman]

The gearchange in my 350 has suddenly gone very strange. I can feel a grating, as though the clutch isn't depressed at all going into 2nd or 4th when cold and the other day it wouldn't go into 2nd at all. The lever was in the correct position - but no forward motion - but it has been alright since. If I double declutch it changes fine.

The gate has always been slightly vague going into 2nd or 4th.

I noticed tonight that if I pull the lever upwards as I change gear it is fine - no grating/crunching.

Could it anything other than a box out/rebuild job?

Cheers

Danny

[steve_D]

I don't know the box but if you can change thing just by lifting the stick it could be nothing more than the ball shifted on the stick. Many gear sticks have a nylon ball held in place on the stick by circlips.
Sounds like a carpet out and route around is called for.

Steve

[350zwelgje]

Could be that the rubbers have gone soggy (all of them) outside the box. Or the forks to change gears, and that would mean a gearbox out job.

Rob

[steve_D]

Do you know what box it is?

Looking in Haynes for the old SD1 (Borg Warner Type 65)it looks like the bottom of the lever sits in a plastic or rubber socket in the gear linkage. This could be worn or broken up. This is part of a remote extention. Where the extention connects to the box there is another similar arrangement.

Steve

[wedg1e]

Danny:
Long time no hear!
Does sound like a strange one... the stick has, as detailed, a ball around the lower end. This fits in a cast cup on the extension and is held down against spring pressure by a pressed steel cup that's only held by one bolt. On my car the tag that the bolt goes through has snapped off twice and had to be rewelded. Without the cup, the action was slack rather than grating - certainly pulling the stick up wouldn't help!
The stick engages in a short cast link rod that has nylon bushes on both ends: the front end fits round a pin that then operates the rod going into the box to select the cogs. So there are a number of potentially slack points, but IIRC the ball on the stick is secured by a pin going right through them both.
The extension is mounted on 4 rubbers as well, just to introduce further sloppiness! On my car, selectng 2nd or 4th drags the extension down until it gets clouted by the front propshaft UJ! Must fix that...

Ian

[danny hoffman]

Cheers guys - you have given a little hope I can do something without pulling the box. I don't suppose anyone has an epxloded diagram or photo of the remote linkage set-up (Haynes manual doesn't) so I know what I am looking for.

Danny

PS Ian - I have been too busy at work etc to get on line, look after the cars etc etc

[tahiti450]

[quote=steve_D]Do you know what box it is?

Looking in Haynes for the old SD1 (Borg Warner Type 65)

I assume its not auto !!

I expect it has the AR 77mm box, common to all and sundry, SD1, series III Jag XJ6s, later black cabs, various BL offerings, and Rover V8 TVRs up to earlier Chimaeras and Griffiths. Selector mechanism and lever sit on an extension at the back of the 'box.

Haynes Rover SD1 3500 WSM (number 365)covers this in some detail. p77 to 85.

PS: hadn't read wedg1e's comments b4 posting this; seems to be pretty comprehensive. Incidentally if you are really desperate for pics i've got a couple of these 'boxes buried somewhere which i could dig out and post you pics, let me know....

>> Edited by tahiti450 on Sunday 8th August 20:35

[Boosted Ls1]

The stick should be biased towards 3rd/4th position and this is done by the springed fork. You have to adjust this quite carefully. Is the stick in this position when the car is stationary? There could be a fauilt here?

[danny hoffman]

Well there is hope, the grating appears to be the remote housing rubbing on the prop shaft (spot on Ian as usual!). The mounting bushes have disintegrated on one side, and one of the nylon bushes on the selector shaft is worn. The bolt holding the gear-lever in was loose.

Also it appear that someone has been playing around with whole assembly. The anti-rattle spring/plunger are missing, one side of the remote mounting has 2 washers and the other has none, and bracket under it is twisted.

So I guess I'll be on the phone to RPI and/or Rimmers tomorrow. Any other ideas where I can get the bits if they haven't got them? Also my gear lever gaitor has split again (I had found one from a late shape Granada was a good fit), any other suggestions?

Cheers

Danny

[wedg1e]

danny hoffman said:

Well there is hope, the grating appears to be the remote housing rubbing on the prop shaft (spot on Ian as usual!). The mounting bushes have disintegrated on one side, and one of the nylon bushes on the selector shaft is worn. The bolt holding the gear-lever in was loose. Also it appear that someone has been playing around with whole assembly. The anti-rattle spring/plunger are missing, one side of the remote mounting has 2 washers and the other has none, and bracket under it is twisted. So I guess I'll be on the phone to RPI and/or Rimmers tomorrow. Any other ideas where I can get the bits if they haven't got them? Also my gear lever gaitor has split again (I had found one from a late shape Granada was a good fit), any other suggestions? Cheers Danny

Danny:
Dexy has just obtained a spare gearbox for his 350; he may be prepared to whip the extension off for you (it has no gearlever though). I can ask him for you?
The gaiter is ex-Sierra as far as I know. I got mine from HHC in Harrogate (in the days when Joolz still worked there ) - about a fiver IIRC.
Does sound as though someone has been fiddling with your box oermissus:

Ian

[danny hoffman]

Cheers Ian, I think the housing is ok, just the bushes etc needed. I have found most the parts on Rimmers site. I come back to you if I get stuck.

Danny

[danny hoffman]

New bushes etc fitted today, getting the anti-rattle spring/plunger in is a bit of a b*****d. Anyway gear change is a good as it ever was - so panic over :-)