Disco 2 D2 Difficult downshifting into 2nd/1st

Right, the shed has decided that 2nd isn't for the likes of me. at least not when it's useful.

I can go up through the gears with no issues (apart from a heavy foot) and down 5-4-3, no drama.

2nd isn't available, mostly completely blocked, can sometimes get it by pretending to shift into 1st and maybe applying some beans (Alas, I don't have 3 feet so brake, clutch and go at the same time is a stretch)

So, I've changed the oil, no difference at all (but maybe smoother on the way up)

And taken the lid off and scowled at it a bit. only things that seems suspect is the bush on the gear stick (FRC9985) and possibly the shafts the bias springs sit on are a bit loose.

Any ideas?
Ta!

Probably syncro, what oil did you use?

The difflock syn r380 oil is very very good, not cheap though!

Used comma mtf94 or whatever it is.

Not sure on the 380 but I have had it on an lt77 where the gearlever pivot ball was seizing when the gbox got hot, strip and grease fixed it.

Did I mention the difflock oil was good in the 380? rubbish in the lt77 though!

Will it double-declutch into second?
If it will drive when going up the box it is probably a synchro hub. But then I ain't really a gear-box eggspurt!

Can sometimes double clutch or rev match into second. But at that point the moment had passed

Berk said:

Can sometimes double clutch or rev match into second. But at that point the moment had passed

Click to expand...

Good! Double-declutching is a bit of a lost art, in many peeps driving ability, but once you get the knack you'll do it a lot and love doing it. I still do it on a few vehicles I own, it gives a much smoother change and obviously gets around dodgy syncromesh. My D1 was a bit crunchy on second from when i got it, about 70k old. But taking my time, and pausing properly in neutral before nudging it into gear helps a lot. So it does just sound like a syncro hub is fubar. Could be worse!

Several crap tractors around the place, so double clutching is a well developed skill.

Still a pain in the arse while I'm towing mind.

Berk said:

Several crap tractors around the place, so double clutching is a well developed skill.

Still a pain in the arse while I'm towing mind.

Click to expand...

Nothing like the whine of a straight cut, crash box!
Used to love doing it while heeling and toeing. Now is that also a lost art?
See the split screen part of the film "Grand Prix" to see what is meant by this!!
Used to do this in my old Mini while wearing stacks back in the early seventies!
Things like these!

imagine doing this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heel-and-toe_shifting
in them! (Couldn't get "normal" shoes back in those days!)