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  • August 30, 2020 at 2:58 pm #2899
    Paul.mckelvie
    Participant

    Hi, Would someone be able to help me with a reverse query please? I’ve looked at the books and workshop manuals for the car but cannot get it into reverse gear. I bought this Austin A40 Somerset during lockdown to work on and do up. It was a non runner when I bought it and lots of it are still in boxes. I’ve got the engine starting on the button now and have replaced all the brake shoes and bled the system, which all seems to be working now but I can’t get it to go into reverse. Just wondering if the gearbox has a problem or if I’m being stupid. I’m very unfamiliar with the gear changer but it seems straightforward by the book’s instructions. I’m pushing it towards the dashboard whilst pulling the knob at the end of it outwards whilst pushing it downwards towards the floor. When I start to release the clutch, the car moves forwards. Can someone tell me if I’m being stoopid or if there’s likely something wrong with the gearbox?

    Many thanks for your help.

    Paul.

    August 30, 2020 at 11:17 pm #2901
    MikeN
    Participant

    Paul, I had the same problem when I bought my A40 just before lockdown. If you look at the way the gear change lever connects to the gearbox you will see that there are 2 aspects to how it works.

    The up and down movement of the lever works all the links that you see under the bonnet while the back and forward movement works a push and pull cable a bit like a very thick Bowden cable that curls under the gearbox and connects to a lever there. I think you should look at this area first. Under the gearbox you should see a couple of lock nuts that hold the cable outer tube. The thick cable passes through them. You need to adjust these nuts so when you operate the lever it pulls the cable through a bit more. After doing this you may find that you end up with reverse, 1st and 2nd but lose 3rd and 4th. This just means that you have overdone it and you need to slacken it back a bit.

    You can also make this same adjustment by slackening of the clamp that holds the end of the cable and pulling it through with pliers then re clamping it. Again, if you pull it too far you might  lose 3&4.

    Mike

    August 31, 2020 at 4:44 pm #2903
    Paul.mckelvie
    Participant

    Thanks for the advice Mike. I’m off work on Thursday so I’ll hopefully get a chance to look at it then.

    Cheers

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