Thread: 5th and Reverse gears gone

It happens. There aren't too many other explanations if you can get the gearstick to the 5th and reverse positions and nothing happens. More often in the earlier LT77 gearbox (Yours should be a R380 if it's a 300tdi). The big cost is R & R. If you can''t do the gearbox swap yourself, supply and fit with warranty is going to be a fair whack of money.
Search broken layshaft R380 and you should get some idea of what's occurred. As as gentle warning, try not to drive around too much with the broken gearbox- if 5th has gone, so has the oil pump. It can survive some time on splash lubrication, but not too long.


Also - have a look at this thread. It may explain a lot

R380 Layshaft failure

Looking at the photos in Langy's link of the 5th/reverse failure in an R380 box, I cannot help but wonder if the broken layshaft is a result of the roller bearing failing at the extreme end of the shaft. The condition of the oil pump in those photos sort of indicates to me that it has been subjected to a lot of "munching" before the end bit of the layshaft parted company, and as stated previously the oil pump takes it's drive from the end of the layshaft
As you said, check the oil, if it is as shown in that link I would expect to see lots of shrapnel on the magnet plug.
Even if the roller bearing was the cause it doesn't help now as the damage is done, it is worrying that it just happens without warning, we have just returned from the Cape and OTL track trip, glad we only broke a rear shock and nothing more serious.
Think I'll check our gear oil tomorrow, see what is stuck to the magnetic plug.
Is it likely to be a problem in a '98 300Tdi R380?
Good luck with the repair.