It was all going so well. Clutch, Gearbox or something else?

Just come off the motor way and I couldn't put it in first. Banged it in, then discovered second and third and fourth had to be banged in (knob fell off when I banged it in first). Now on drive, can't get it in reverse for love nor money? I think my clutch pedal has more pedal slack before my foot feels tension but it then takes the tension. Anyone have any thoughts on how I can identify the problem before I buy the sniffing salts when I discover how much it's gonna cost?

update: with clutch down and ignition off I can put it in all gears but I have to literally with all might force them in?

Sounds like time for a new clutch, and/or, thrust arm and bearing. In fact, symptoms sound like the proverbial hole in thrust arm...but worth checking clutch cylinder/hydraulics first as this is the easiest to repair. If thrust arm replace with a reinforced version to mitigate reoccurring...the hole issue with LT77/R380 boxes is well known in all cars/vans that use these arms.

Here's someone who had the same issue in his TVR Griffith
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=9&t=284939

reinforced thrust arms are readily available
https://www.onlinegearboxparts.com/product/clutch-fork-release-arm-heavy-duty-kit/

1 clutch fluid level.
2 oil level in box.

Time to get the tools out...

First hold the pedal and lift up down to see if there is any movement. ie adjuster come loose.

Check & update

Very quick resolution. I panicked when I got back from work, hence the post. A visit from a superstar landy builder and he found the gear box oil was pitch black. A drain and half a gallon of Triple QX MTF 75W-80 and a raz around the block and it's brill. Better than ever! The way the gears were jammed I think anyone would've thought the gear box was shagged. Thanks all for responding. Cheers

Did ya scoop the oil out!!

Can't imagine it would of done the box any good.

He's made it work again. It might need a drain and fill in another month or two but I'm just gonna see how things go now. Who knows when it was last changed. I only bought it last October.

If it was that bad I’d drain and replace a second time.

payydg said:

If it was that bad I’d drain and replace a second time.

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That's pretty much what he's suggested. I won't have time for the rest of the week but will do :0)

Mackers said:

That's pretty much what he's suggested. I won't have time for the rest of the week but will do :0)

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Glad it’s been a reasonably easy fix.

Baulk rings would have been getting hot and sticking, lucky escape as it is still working. As others have said a bit of TLC and easy on the changes for a while.