Gearbox crunch into reverse - the cure!

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 4:29 pm

Thank TVR for this one. I've not had a reverse crunch for months after adopting a technique recommended for TVRs with a T5 gearbox. Simply press down the clutch, slot into fifth gear and THEN select reverse. Works a treat!

Obviously it's also a good idea to make sure your gearbox has actual oil in it. It isn't a miracle cure...

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:41 pm

I suspect that's because 5th has synchromesh on it (reverse doesn't) and it stops the shaft turning so you can slot it straight across the gate into reverse. I'm going to try that. Nice one!!!.

When I got my Athena, it crunched horribly, was a pig to get into 1st when cold, and was notchy as hell to select gears on the move.

On a hunch, I drained the gearbox and refilled it with the proper stuff - Total BV80 - (the BV stands for Boite de Vitesses - that's gearbox in grenouille-speak) and the 'box suddenly became silky smooth. Pretty picky about their gearbox oil, are BX's and the previous owner obviouslyt didn't know about it.

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:09 pm

Stupid question, i know and i appologise for it but how do i check the gear box oil level? Never done it before, is it easy to fill as ime going down to the West country on Thursday and it did occur to me to check this out?

Havnt looked at it for the 4 years ive had the motor, all still works ok but had the clutchplus everything around it replaced last year plus oil seals etc.

Andy

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sat Aug 07, 2010 11:18 pm

Aye - stops the shaft a treat. Don't know why it didn't occur to me sooner really, given that I always slot the 2CV into second before first for exactly the same reason.

Still, I shall use this TVR nugget wisely as way of return for TVR raiding the Citroen parts bin!

JayW · Post by **JayW** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:19 am

Grenman wrote:Stupid question, i know and i appologise for it but how do i check the gear box oil level? Never done it before, is it easy to fill as ime going down to the West country on Thursday and it did occur to me to check this out?

Havnt looked at it for the 4 years ive had the motor, all still works ok but had the clutchplus everything around it replaced last year plus oil seals etc.

Andy

It would have been replaced when the clutch was done. Level checking is easy, just follow the HBOL...

Mothman · Post by **Mothman** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:27 am

Thanks Jay,

clutch was done last year, runs fine. Ile check the oil out this afternoon. I will be passing the turning to Basingstoke on the M3/303 4.30 am Thursday, in the BX, promise i wont wake you on the way. Hope to be catching a few sharks from Looe, plenty about at the moment.

Cheers.

Andy

Post by **Tim Leech** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 11:35 am

Another way is put in reverse with the engine off, holding the clutch down and start the car, no crunch!

JayW · Post by **JayW** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:15 pm

Grenman wrote:Thanks Jay,

clutch was done last year, runs fine. Ile check the oil out this afternoon. I will be passing the turning to Basingstoke on the M3/303 4.30 am Thursday, in the BX, promise i wont wake you on the way. Hope to be catching a few sharks from Looe, plenty about at the moment.

Cheers.

Andy

Kettle's always on and i'm there all Thursday

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Sun Aug 08, 2010 12:22 pm

Roverman wrote:Another way is put in reverse with the engine off, holding the clutch down and start the car, no crunch!

Given the knackered state of my starter motor, that's not an option!

Post by **Tim Leech** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 1:36 pm

Dollywobbler wrote:
Roverman wrote:Another way is put in reverse with the engine off, holding the clutch down and start the car, no crunch!
Given the knackered state of my starter motor, that's not an option!

Ahh that wouldnt help

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 3:38 pm

Should be getting it changed (at last!) tomorrow, along with some leak cures and an ARB link. Need it sorting - I miss the car!

stuart_hedges · Post by **stuart_hedges** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:12 pm

The first car I drove regularly was a Pug 309, which had a hideous gearchange. I was taught to go into first and then reverse, which worked equally well and for the same reason.

All the BXs I\'ve had have occasionally refused to go into reverse and the same trick works. Mine did it the other week when a friend was driving it (someone who\'s run a lot of classic cars) and I was amazed that he didn\'t know this!

Linegeist · Post by **Linegeist** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:21 pm

Damn! Tried DW's 5th gear trick today (first time I've had to drive since he posted this tip) and it WORKS!!!!

Awesome.

$\:D/$

Post by **Defender110** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:33 pm

Linegeist wrote: When I got my Athena, it crunched horribly, was a pig to get into 1st when cold, and was notchy as hell to select gears on the move.

On a hunch, I drained the gearbox and refilled it with the proper stuff - Total BV80 - (the BV stands for Boite de Vitesses - that's gearbox in grenouille-speak) and the 'box suddenly became silky smooth. Pretty picky about their gearbox oil, are BX's and the previous owner obviouslyt didn't know about it.

Thanks for this tip too Bob, well worth remembering.

Gibbo2286 · Post by **Gibbo2286** » Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:34 pm

The Xantia boxes have actually got a brake on the gear to stop this problem. Gibbo