Big problem, cannot get into gear - 5 days before drive to Spain!

Doubt anyone can offer a quick fix here 5 days before emigration to Spain and the gearbox has failed. Just done about 700 trouble free miles, currently in Pembrokeshire for Xmas before our trip. Was in Tescos in haverfordwest, stuck it in reverse to back out of bay and it wouldn't come out of reverse. Managed after a couple of mins but couldn't get into any gear. Another couple of mins and managed 1st gear to move the car and call AA to get towed home.
This is a total disaster for us, too near to Xmas to get anything done Dunno what we're gonna do now. I phone my local indie Land Rover place, he reckoned possibly selector plates on top of box under rivetted rubber cover broken. Anyone familiar with this? Panicking big time, can't believe this has happened now! Got to somehow sort it in 3 or 4 days!
Rich

I fink we had this recently - selector forks or balls or summat. Others will confirm - but yu cud save yoself some time by searching.

There is a plate in the gear selector housing on to of the gearbox and this can break causing the exact problem you describe. you'll need to remove the centre console and drill out all the rivets holding the rubber membrane in place in order to get at it. but once in their it is an easy fix.

Edit Mrs B had the same problem and the AA guy ripped the membrane out and removed the selctor plates and they've never been replaced. and she's still driving hers. Though finding the gears is a rite tw*t of a job. Expect to crunch gears a lot until you get used to it.

Ta, I did search Madhat, but I didn't find anything re this particular prob although I do seem to remember reading something recently cos I remember about the rivets needing drilling. Peeps don't always put the prob in the post title though. Cheers Red, I'll have to look tomorra and pray that's the problem then at least the car should be driveable. I assume it'll be obvious what I'm looking at one the console and diaphragm are off........

sp33der said:

Ta, I did search Madhat, but I didn't find anything re this particular prob although I do seem to remember reading something recently cos I remember about the rivets needing drilling. Peeps don't always put the prob in the post title though. Cheers Red, I'll have to look tomorra and pray that's the problem then at least the car should be driveable. I assume it'll be obvious what I'm looking at one the console and diaphragm are off........

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Is this one any good? It's about fitting a difflock but covers removing the rivets you mentioned........... ?

Headtester said:

Is this one any good? It's about fitting a difflock but covers removing the rivets you mentioned........... ?

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Yes. That takes you to the top of the gearbox and looks about the best I've seen so far, but is for an auto ...

Can't remember reading another one - is Sp33der's a manual or an auto?

sp33der said:

Doubt anyone can offer a quick fix here 5 days before emigration to Spain and the gearbox has failed. Just done about 700 trouble free miles, currently in Pembrokeshire for Xmas before our trip. Was in Tescos in haverfordwest, stuck it in reverse to back out of bay and it wouldn't come out of reverse. Managed after a couple of mins but couldn't get into any gear. Another couple of mins and managed 1st gear to move the car and call AA to get towed home.
This is a total disaster for us, too near to Xmas to get anything done Dunno what we're gonna do now. I phone my local indie Land Rover place, he reckoned possibly selector plates on top of box under rivetted rubber cover broken. Anyone familiar with this? Panicking big time, can't believe this has happened now! Got to somehow sort it in 3 or 4 days!
Rich

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Hiya Rich, my advice would be to get yourself to the nearest LR parts supplier and get the flat plate and two springs which hold the gear lever in place.

Let me explain - imagine you have the centre console out, moved the rubber sound-absorbing sponge out of the way, the rivets which hold the metal diaphram-retaining-frame in place have been drilled out so that you can remove it, you will now see the top of the gearbox.

Takes about 15-20 mins to get to this stage.

You will now see a square cover that the gear lever goes into. Remove that cover and under it you should see a flat plate with a small upstand, and two large-ish springs. You may find that either: the plate is bust or one or more of the springs are missing.

Replace the plate and springs with the new parts you have just purchased this morning after reading this post and, HOPEFULLY your gear selection will be back in business.

The very best of luck,

Dave

quick post. not the plate or springs, they seem fine. the bits under the plate seemed a bit out of place as if the gearshaft had popped out of the ball thing it sits in. tried replacing it all but not selecting gears properly. not looking good.....
ta for replies btw
rich

Looks like gearbox shagged, something bent or selector forks damaged. used gearbox bought, courier en route to collect it and deliver it 300+ miles (don't ask how much that is costing on Xmas eve!). gearbox being fitted on sat 27th which means we're cutting it very fine to get back to blighty, load car and get to dover on morning of 28th for train to france. What a nightmare! . Next time I emigrate I'm gonna do me best not to do so at Xmas or ant public hols!
Rich

Good luck!

taking the gearbox off mine this week,(300 tdi, would be done by now but xmas shopping got in the way) and changing selector plate, clutch, and having a fiddle with the diff lock, i got all the tools you'd need, if you need,(and relevent links from another thread) i'm in Berkshire.
if you get any problems, and need help PM me.
Otherwise Bon Voyage!!

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f8/cant-select-2nd-4th-reverse-gear-67549.html

Have a look on this! Might be a 2 quids plastic bush.

Thanks folks. Don't think a rubber grommit would save this box I'm afraid! Replacement box arrived 3am Xmas morning via a now wealthy courier so here's hoping it's a good 'un! Saturday is D day and Sunday we're on the road I hope and pray!
Rich

sp33der said:

Thanks folks. Don't think a rubber grommit would save this box I'm afraid! Replacement box arrived 3am Xmas morning via a now wealthy courier so here's hoping it's a good 'un! Saturday is D day and Sunday we're on the road I hope and pray!
Rich

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Stick with it me ol mate!!

IT IS WORTH THE EFFORT TRUST ME ON THIS!!!!

Sorry for a little more babbling on................

Don't forget, (typing with fingers crossed!) hoping you do not have any further problems!

Typicaly I am in the UK for Xmas and will not be back 'home' until 5 Jan but if you do need help or just want a chat PM me for my phone number (you may already have it?)

Also for what it's worth my partner is spanish so even later on if you need a part call us and she will ring around for you and get a price then you can get it picked up. If you ring them yourself the moment you open your mouth the price goes through the roof!! This applies to more than just car parts!

This is our personal experience and we have tested it time and time again with everything from a plant to new home, she goes in and gets a price, I go in ten minutes later and the price has doubled and I really am not that ugly?

Feel free to call us night or day! We are near Lorca in Murcia which is more towards the Almeria end of Spain.

Safe Journey!!

regards

Dave & Ana

gotoneatlast said:

taking the gearbox off mine this week,(300 tdi, would be done by now but xmas shopping got in the way) and changing selector plate, clutch, and having a fiddle with the diff lock, i got all the tools you'd need, if you need,(and relevent links from another thread) i'm in Berkshire.
if you get any problems, and need help PM me.
Otherwise Bon Voyage!!

Click to expand...

Done this on my own about six months ago, operation for a broken tendon will be in the next few weeks! :doh:

I have been working on cars for years and have never thought anything of fitting a gearbox ect on my own but found the transfer box not just heavy but also a bloody awkward shape to fit without help, I completed the job on my own being wellard an all that and that's why two weeks later I ended up at the doctor's with the above injury!!!!

BE CAREFUL & SAFE!

regards

Dave

sure, wise words, thanks.
the plan is to lower it down with this device

can take upto 135KG, no wheels on it though. will now be working under the vehicle

Thanks Dave, yep we've spoken before and I put your number in my mobile a couple of months back!
Rich