No gears.

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by Andy 1066, Sep 9, 2019.

  1. Hi everyone.
    I recently bought a t2 bay 72-73 m reg. Drove it out yesterday and parked it for a few hours. All was OK driving it in the afternoon but when I came to move off in the evening I couldn't get it into gear. When I attempt to put it in gear there is no feeling of any notches at all. I got under the front of the van and had my partner move the gear stick. I can see that the linkage is moving, unfortunately it has a belly pan on so I can't see the connection to bottom of the gear stick. Also with it being very low I can't get near the gearbox to see that end of the linkage. I had to have it towed back to my house as no garages were open at 9 o'clock last night. Is there anything I can look into to see if I can fix it temporarily, just to get it to a garage for repair.
    Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.
    Kind regards
    Andy

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  2. With the engine off, can you select the gears? As it was fine one minute and not the next that would be the clue. My first guess is the gear rod coupler at the rear between rod and gearbox nose cone, has failed, come apart or come loose. These do fail but usually just wear out causing slop at the gear stick, Sometimes the grub screw comes out and ideally should be wired in place to stop that.
     
  3. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    This happened to me.... except I was driving when the screw came out so I ended up stuck in 2nd.... no matter where I put the gear lever, I was in the same gear.
    I guess if it happened whilst parked up in neutral, there would be no gears at all.
    Sounds a good shout for the cause.
     
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  4. Hi, thanks for the speedy replies. It won't go into gear at all, engine running or not. Just completely empty like stirring soup. No real feeling of resistance or mechanical notching etc. I will check the part on the gearbox. Sounds like a good start.

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  5. I guess you mean this part. And its attached to the front end of the gearbox. (front as in front of vehicle end of the box.)
    Kind regards
    Andy CSP798214.jpg

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  6. That's the one. While you are under there check the clutch release cable and its connection to the arm just to rule that possibility out.
     
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  7. I don't suppose anyone can recall bolt sizes? I can grab a handful of bolts from work. Hopefully it's just a bolt fallen out.

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  8. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    The little one I think is pointy M6.
    The problem can also be an aftermarket coupler where the collar rotates without the cage moving.

    You should be able to put the bus into gear by pulling and twisting on the coupler from underneath.

    On my 3" lowered bus I often use a set of camper van levelling wedges as low profile ramps then I can get underneath.. like here..

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Ah good idea on the leveling blocks. Unfortunately the previous owner lowered the back so much that it's sitting on the physical stops above the trailing arm and also decided to remove the rear bump rubbers. It rides like an absolute charm of course....
    Kind regards
    Andy [​IMG]

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  10. scrooge95

    scrooge95 Moderator and piggy bank keeper

    Blimey , that is low for getting underneath without mucho jacking up!
     
  11. and I thought my van was low!
     
  12. Yep. It just reminds me of the boy racer bumper stickers from the late 90's early 2000's. Lower than your grans nipples. But seriously not fun to drive. Once iv got the gear issue sorted the next stop will be raising it back up and reinstating the bump stops. Deep joy.
    Kind regards
    Andy

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    Last edited: Sep 9, 2019
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  13. The back that van is crazy low. Have you got any suspension at all :eek:?
     
  14. Andy, whip out the cab carpet & undo the plate above the gear stick to check it's not come adrift from the front selector arm. You may find the locator pin has come out which may mean front selector arm bush is shot. Worth a quick check as you can do this from inside the cab. (not the bush though that will be under the belly pan)
     
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  15. No none left. The trailing arm is sitting on the stop and the previous owner removed the rubber bump stops.

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  16. CollyP

    CollyP Moderator

    Looks just like mine! ( but cleaner :))
     
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  17. Hi everyone.
    Would just like thank everyone for their responses and suggestions it turns out the it was the front gear rod coupler that had come undone. I have bolted it back together but now for some reason the reverse lock out on the scat shifter doesn't seem to be working so when looking for 2nd it's getting reverse..... Any suggestions?
    Kind regards
    Andy

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  18. I have that after putting an EMPI trigger shift on to cure that from the original stick being worn on the bulgy bit, think it's likely to be the side plate of the stop inside needing welding back to the front and rear bit.
     
  19. I think I may have figured it out. Just been back to the van after dinner and I think where the gear rod coupler came loose it has allowed the front bushing to fall out. I removed the shifter, got underneath and removed the belly pan and wiggled the front linkage shaft. It was flopping around. I'm guessing that play is causing the shifter not to function correctly. I have ordered a new bushing so will have to wait and see. Hopefully saves me a journey to a garage where they tell me my blinker fluid is low.....
    Kind regards
    Andy

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  20. theBusmonkey

    theBusmonkey Sponsor

    Are you coming to Techenders as a relatively new owner Andy?
     
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