R380 gearbox fault

[Dave J]

The problem first came about over Christmas, the disco had not moved for a week, it fired up on the button as norm but I could not get any gears. It was like the gate was missing and the box was full of cold treacle. I put it in the reverse position, and found it, and back we went, the gearbox was back to norm and I never gave it another thought.

This week it did it again, It drove fine to work, reversed it in to a spot, went to take it out of gear and the problem was back. Drove forward a couple of feet and it freed up, but now it does not feel right, it has never been great but sometimes it can be smooth going up and lumpy going down, or the other way round.  

The clutch is biting right at the top but not slipping so I don’t think it the clutch.

Does any body have any ideas? As the fault is not constant its difficult to isolate.

Don’t want to have a clutch fitted only to strip it down to fit another box

Thanks for any advice Dave

[Xtremeteam]

have u changed the oil recently or had it changed recently?

[Dave J]

The oil has been top'd up but not changed, need to get a 32mm spanner as a socket will not fit

[winchman]

I have a 32mm spanner if you need one.
Speak to Billy at Gearbox evaluation in Skem If its still there, honest bloke knows a lot about gear boxes.
You should get a few more answers here.
Take it to the dealer and ask his thoughts, be honest and tell him you cant afford for him to fix it.

[bilge rat]

there is a prob sometimes with the gate spring bracket, there is a lug which can break up or fracture. the other thing that comes to mind is iff the clutch drive plate is sticking on the splines, been through any floods before not using it for a while. alan......

[Dave J]

Hi Alan

I think you might have hit on something, I downloaded an R380 gearbox overhall manual. It stated that the gearbox should have a bios to sit in the 3rd/4th position. Mine definatley does not, it's right over to the left hand side, but it does not feel like there is any spring tension on the right.

When i've got the MOT out of the way i will strip the top down and check the bios spring adjustment, may be something had broken up, is this a common problem?

Thanks for all your help

DAVE

[bilge rat]

yes the springs are located with the bracket i mentioned, the lugs on the bracket can fracture or break off, may just be loose or a broken spring . but not a bad job i think. good luck ,let us know how you get on. alan.....

[cardiff_gareth]

Gearstick sticking to the one side would suggest that the springs have gone, there are 2 of them to hold it centrally in neutral. Do you have all gears but fing it difficult to locate them?
If this is the case then the is a selector plate in the top of the gearbox that is a metal plate with a little 'nodule' on it, this is renound for snapping off. I have just bought the 2 springs and the plate direct from my local main stealer for about a £10.00 I'm not attempting it myself, found a garage that will fit it for £50.00
To replace you have to remove the centre consol, drill out about 2 dozen riverts, gain acces to the top of the gearbox and away you go, easy :!:

[Moose]

Dave,

I would be interested in a copy, or site that you downloaded the gearbox o/h manual from.
 I have a occasional buzing noise that drives me mad, I think it is to do with the springs that hold the stick in position.