51 TD5 gearbox change down

Just noticed this weekend after long 70+ run down A12 that I couldn't changedown from 5 to 4 at all.
I could go down to 3 then upto 4 initially but that also stopped happening.
When I had stopped for a while and started off again no problem.
Driving around town - no problem.
Yet when driving back up A12 problem occured again.
Anyone have any ideas?
Could it be the box oil or synchro not meshing?

When did you last check the oil level? low oil level could cause overheating in g'box making it difficult to select a gear, when the g'box cools you would then be able to select a gear until it heated up again. Do you have the correct oil?

After oil checks and if still persists make sure that the gear lever bias(selector) is Ok...plate, springs, bush..... used to make tricks....common fault, most common is that the plate(38) or one of springs(36) brakes, also the bush(40) could be threaded. U have to remove the centre console and the rubber gaiter(32) and there u are...to reach the bush u have to remove the plate, .....if u replace the plate, before u tighten the bolts select 4'th gear and keep the lever pushed fully to the right...thats the procedure

its up to u m8

raylaw50 said:

Just noticed this weekend after long 70+ run down A12 that I couldn't changedown from 5 to 4 at all.
I could go down to 3 then upto 4 initially but that also stopped happening.
When I had stopped for a while and started off again no problem.
Driving around town - no problem.
Yet when driving back up A12 problem occured again.
Anyone have any ideas?
Could it be the box oil or synchro not meshing?

Click to expand...

This is a VERY comon fault on TD5 manual cars. It is caused by a nylon ball, (part no.FTC4249 about £14) which swells with the heat of a long motorway run, at the base of the gear lever/selector mechanism. The part is dirt cheap and an easy fix. It's part 39 in Fery's diagram.

Whilst messing about with your 'box it might be a good idea to swap out your gearbox oil as well - 3 ltrs of MTF94.

Cheers
Dave

Thanks for all your replys.
I intend looking this weekend at all the ideas.

thebiglad said:

This is a VERY comon fault on TD5 manual cars. It is caused by a nylon ball, (part no.FTC4249 about £14) which swells with the heat of a long motorway run, at the base of the gear lever/selector mechanism. The part is dirt cheap and an easy fix. It's part 39 in Fery's diagram.

Whilst messing about with your 'box it might be a good idea to swap out your gearbox oil as well - 3 ltrs of MTF94.

Cheers
Dave

Click to expand...

Good one Dave........:doh::doh:....this one must not be disregarded from the list ...how the f**k did i forget about this........i'm getting old

@raylaw50 >> anyway my advice is that if u are already in there the best thing to do is to replace all the bits cos all are cheap and easy to fix.

For what its worth, I've just fitted a Roverdrive transfer box cooler - which is a modified sump that increases oil capacity and has cooling fins, but doesnt decrease ground clearance. £65 and fitted easily. Car sound better and the transfer box is noticably cooler on a run. See www.discovery2.co.uk - Transfer box Sump

May stop problem reoccuring...