R380 stuck in reverse

[seano87]

Hi all,

Just had a slightly bizzare happening in my 300Tdi Manual Disco 1...

Was reversing a box trailer up my driveway, which is relatively steep, so was in low range to make it easier, about halfway up I was a bit off course so went back to roll down and start again, but it wouldn't come out of reverse, or t-case into neutral :o clutch was in, and was just holding itself there without any brakes! Even when I let the clutch out to try go further up the driveway, it wasn't happy about it!!

Ended up taking the trailer off and with 3 people we pushed it up the driveway, I gave it a few revs and dropped the clutch, with a bit of wheel spin and a clunk from the driveline it came out of reverse and I could go forwards again. Straight after, with the clutch out and in neutral there was a fair bit of clutch chatter. Took it for a drive round the block and it now seems to be back to normal.

So... any ideas as to what might have happened? My guess is the weight of the trailer has forced the rear diff + driveline forwards, putting pressure through the gearbox and onto the clutch and not allowing it to disengage properly, as there was a bit of burning clutch smell even with the pedal all the way in, no apparent loss of clutch pedal resistance either!

I'm not overly concerned, more curious as to why!!

Seano

[Blknight.aus]

clutch drag, hows your clutch pedal feel?

[seano87]

clutch drag, hows your clutch pedal feel?

Never had a problem with it before. Straight afterwards it seemed to engage about halfway down the stroke, now its back to being about an inch into it as normal, slightly easier to push in pre-disengagement than after.

I have a basic understanding of what clutch drag is... is it something I should investigate further?

Seano

[abaddonxi]

Clutch master or slave getting to the end of their day? Had similar this week and that's what it was.

[justinc]

Not all that uncommon, I have experienced it with 2 R380's and 1 LT77. It is very likely excessive endfloat in the trans, causing enough load when reversing up a slope to lock a forward gear AND reverse together. All 3 I have heard of were reversing up a steep slope at the time too. The clatter from the trans at idle also indicates excesive mainshaft endfloat, It is likely to be very rare to happen again, BUT 1 of the D1's 2 years later is now requiring a trans rebuild due to poor synchro performance, possibly unrelated to the jamming in gear episode.
It has never reoccurrred in any of the other 2 since.

JC

[Blknight.aus]

close to what I was thinking but Ive had a couple of cases where the fluid level in the clutch was low and the angle on which it was parked was sufficient to allow the MC to suck air and not disengage the clutch usually the clutch felt off for a couple of goes after and then came goodish then normal after the fluid was filled.

Shot syncro springs can allow enough of a grip to be maintained on a forwards gear that any load on the shafts while in reverse will stop you from getting it out.

[seano87]

Clutch master or slave getting to the end of their day? Had similar this week and that's what it was.

Hmm.. I guess its possible, but both are reasonably new so I doubt it (hopefully!)


Not all that uncommon, I have experienced it with 2 R380's and 1 LT77. It is very likely excessive endfloat in the trans, causing enough load when reversing up a slope to lock a forward gear AND reverse together. All 3 I have heard of were reversing up a steep slope at the time too. The clatter from the trans at idle also indicates excesive mainshaft endfloat, It is likely to be very rare to happen again, BUT 1 of the D1's 2 years later is now requiring a trans rebuild due to poor synchro performance, possibly unrelated to the jamming in gear episode.
It has never reoccurrred in any of the other 2 since.

JC

That sounds very very much like what probably happened. Synchro has never given me any obvious signs to suggest there is a problem, but will be mindful of it.

Thank you to all who replied. My curiousity has been satisfied and I have just learnt yet another thing about my landy :D

Seano