Help! Worrying Gearbox Problems...

[dandesign70]

I wonder if anyone who subcribes to this forum could suggest some solutions to a worrying gearbox problem?

I have a 1986 Maestro 1.6 LE (passed on to me by my grandfather who only managed to put 48000 miles on it since new). The engine seems to be in fine condition and has been reliable since I received it in November last year.

The problem that has suddenly developed (while driving a few days ago) in the gearbox is that I no longer have to press down on the gearstick in order to locate reverse, and locating the other gears seems to have become difficult. Unfortunately, this means that when pulling away (from neutral) or changing down it is very easy to find reverse gear rather than 1st. Once the gears are located they work perfectly with no discernable difficulty or noise etc.

Can anyone suggest what may have happened? Any suggestions are very gratefully received. This vehicle holds sentimental (and practical of course!) value for me so I'm hoping that it is nothing too serious.

Cheers, Dan Richards.

[D87 SMW]

Welcome to the forums. Sounds like you have a nice rare car there. :thumbup:

Your problem sounds to me like the gear linkage is at fault. Something may have popped off or become lose (or both) and should be a relatively simple fix.

Good luck with the car, if you ever need help or just fancy chatting with the Maestro/Montego people your posts are most welcome. :)

[dandesign70]

Thanks for the reply Steve. I hope you're right about it being a minor problem. Although I've not had much experience of mechanics I'm pretty practical so maybe this might be something I can tackle myself (I can't afford a mechanic anyway!).

Cheers, Dan

By the way, I had no idea I had a 'rare' model - is it just that fewer of these were made?....

[e692wtt]

Welcome to the forums :) .

It will be a problem with the mechanism and not the gearbox (the 'reverse gear detent' is at the gear lever end of the gearshift mechanism). I am inclined to think it will be the gear lever mechanism's 'balljoint' that has come apart (it is the beige plastic bit one can see on lifting the gear lever gaiter inside the car - but this may well mean lifting the centre console). I think they are held together by a plastic 'locking ring' and hopefully that can easily be refitted.

If it's not that, let us know.

[dandesign70]

Have checked the gearstick end of the mechanism - lifted off the centre plastic housing for a good look. Doesn't seem to be any problem there. Would the next step be to check the gear lever adjustment? I would have had a look at that too except I don't have any axle stands....

By the way, my mistake it's a 1.3 LE not 1.6

[B18 GPC]

Welcome...

Only thing , otherwise i can think of is it the interior of the gearbox has seen better days , requireing mabey a bit of oil to help it pop into gear..

if not , normally ont of the 3 plastic selector rods , found in one of many big gaps arround the 1.3 Engine.

Graham

[G Force]

Would the next step be to check the gear lever adjustment? I would have had a look at that too except I don't have any axle stands

Hi, could be the adjustment but you would expect something to be badly worn or come loose for it to go so far out so quickly.

If the gearlever still springs up after you press it down the bottom of the lever may have dropped off, you would need to get under car and remove the plastic cover to check this.

If the gearlever does not spring back up then this part of the lever mechanism is seized and will need freeing off.

If everthing looks in order then you will need to adjust the mechanism.

Cheers :)