Strange 4th gear problem

**timr61** · 18th September 2006, 05:29 PM

Have a 94 tdi disco,250ks definitely a 300tdi, owners handbook says its got a lt77s gearbox but 5th and reverse are over to the right, I thought tdi lt77 had reverse on the left.

My problem is for the past 2 weeks when changing up from 3rd to 4th there is no way it will go into gear. No grating or anything, feels like there is no gear there, but can change down from 5th to 4th no problem at all. At the moment the only way I can get 4th is to change from 3rd to 5th, let clutch out and drive forward slightly, then change back to 4th. Any ideas?

Changed gearbox oil yesterday to valvoline dura gear 75/85, thin red atf looking oil came out. No apparent change to above problem though.

**4bee** · 18th September 2006, 05:36 PM

A weak bias spring could possibly do this.

**one_iota** · 18th September 2006, 05:46 PM

The "tab" shown in the diagram has a nasty habit of breaking off and lodging itself so that the gearstick movement is restricted.

It depends on where the errant tab ends up as to how the selection is affected.

BTW the bias springs 4bee refers to are labelled "7".

I had the tab welded back into place.

BTW your gearbox is the R380.

**langy** · 18th September 2006, 05:53 PM

PS: R380's are supposed to have ATF (Dexron IID) in them: I think the duragear 75/85 will be too thick. Anone else tried it ?

**timr61** · 18th September 2006, 05:57 PM

Didnt think it was a lt77. Can this be checked from the top in the vehicle, or would I have to remove the gearbox, hope not!!

**one_iota** · 18th September 2006, 06:00 PM

Originally Posted by timr61

Didnt think it was a lt77. Can this be checked from the top in the vehicle, or would I have to remove the gearbox, hope not!!

You go in from the top taking the tunnel cover off... you will have to drill out some rivets (and rivet on reassembly)...not too hard just fiddly.

**one_iota** · 18th September 2006, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by langy

PS: R380's are supposed to have ATF (Dexron IID) in them: I think the duragear 75/85 will be too thick. Anone else tried it ?

The LR spec has changed away from ATF... I use Castrol VMX 80

**timr61** · 18th September 2006, 06:08 PM

Thanks for the info, might have a look tomorrow if I get any time. Checked this site and valvoline dura gear was one of a few oils recommended and available on a sunday from super cheap accross the road from me.

**langy** · 18th September 2006, 06:21 PM

Interesting re gearbox oil..... I haven't heard of 4th going like that, ( Since you didn't mention big chunks of metal when you changed the fluid in the box that sorta rules out breaking somthing expensive) , so an obstruction of some description sounds very plausible. The serial number of your gearbox is near the drain plug - 55A 02##### J is R380, or your VIN should end with MA, and a number greater than 081991. ( Built date after 1 Feb?)

**timr61** · 18th September 2006, 08:01 PM

Definitly no chunks of metal, only the usual metallic grey sludge around magnet on the plug. Gearbox must be R380 as VIN is MA 087322, build date April 94.
Have only had the car for 6 months, done 15Ks already, very happy with it other than this gremlin, replaced my very thirsty but much admired 85 Rangie.

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