Thread: Help needed - sudden difficulty getting 5th gear - 2002 TD5 Defender

Hi Michael

If gear selection is the only problem and there are no new noises, I would be looking first at the selector gate and the bias spring on the top of the gearbox.

the clearance for the bias spring is 0.05mm, measured one at a time between each of the two legs of the spring and the gear lever cross pin.

good luck.

have you check the clutch fluid?

how dose the clutch feel?

I have just returned from a tip to Fraser Island, on the way down I had to get a clutch replaced in Rocky, the pressure plate diaphragm springs had become weak and I was getting a slipping clutch. It is crap having these problems on holidays mate, hope you get it soughted

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Hi Michael

If gear selection is the only problem and there are no new noises, I would be looking first at the selector gate and the bias spring on the top of the gearbox.

the clearance for the bias spring is 0.05mm, measured one at a time between each of the two legs of the spring and the gear lever cross pin.

good luck.

Sounds like something to check when I get home.

If this is the culprit, can you see any reason why I can't finish the trip as is, if it's workable?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by lambrover

have you check the clutch fluid?

how dose the clutch feel?

I have just returned from a tip to Fraser Island, on the way down I had to get a clutch replaced in Rocky, the pressure plate diaphragm springs had become weak and I was getting a slipping clutch. It is crap having these problems on holidays mate, hope you get it soughted

Clutch fluid was one of the things I checked before leaving - required a minimal top-up, and did check it after the symptoms above, still at the same level.

Clutch action feels as good as it has for the last 6 months, and all gear changes between 1st and 4th are effortless and smooth.

Thanks!
Michael

Hi Michael
I had a similar problem with my 99 130 Defender. In my case it was the fork on the end of the remote gear change shaft, in the top of the gear box. On my model R380, it is held by a grub screw, which came lose and finally came off altogether, causing the loss of all the gears. In the Defender it can be accessed from inside the car by removing the transmission tunnel and cubby box and then taking the top cover of the gear box, not a big job probably about three or four hours if you haven't done it before.

Hope this helps best of luck Dave

PS Please feel free to PM me if you think the problem is here and I can be of any further help

Hi Michael

To reach this one you need to dig a little deeper, but it is not as far in, as the problem Dave had with his.

The adjustment is the fifth gear stop screw, it could have came loose and be the cause of the troubles as you described.
To reach this, you will also need to take the tunnel cover off, the screw with it's locknut is underneath the left hand side in the middle of the gear selector housing, pointing down at about 45 degrees.

Mums home now, I'm off to slumber.

Sounds like what Dave is talking about. If your going through Singleton, PM me and I will give you a hand to repair.

Thanks everybody for the advice.

We continued driving today, currently camped at the Fossicker's Area at Uralla. The gearbox seemed to be easier to manage today - still a firm push needed to get into 5th, but getting into 4th was made easier by realising that a small nudge in the direction of 3rd, with the clutch still in, helped her into 4th.

Does anybody think I'll do any more damage driving it this way until we get home? I'll try to avoid a roadstop repair if I have to, but if there's a chance of doing any major damage, I'll have to make a plan.

Cheers!
Michael
a.k.a. TeamFA Camping!