Judder ONLY in reverse???

Well firstly I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who helped me with my problems Ive had on my 1974 series 3 88. With the help of you forum friends she passed her MOT with flying colours!
So, Its a little odd that I have this latest niggle...... Im getting judder when reversing on an uphill gradient? Quite obvious! Now Ive got both new propshalfs with joints on and new engine and gearbox mounts, and all must be fine or it wouldnt have passed the MOT. I also replaced the clutch about 6 monthes ago and the flywheel seal wasnt leaking at all. Any ideas anyone? If its a clue Ive always had a clunk in the transfer box when depressing or lifting the clutch pedal. I can live with it but love to know also if theres anything I can do to make it better? Cheers.

try slackening hand brake off a good bit and check gears for play with sump off t/box

Hi James! Yes have looked at the big gears with the sump off before, there is a little wear Im sure as when selecting four wheel drive with the red knob, was very difficult as gears looked worn (slightly rounded teeth), it wouldnt enguage unless you helped them by tweeking them a tiny fraction, then the red knob went in. Does this sound like a complete transfer box rebuild or a couple of gears maybe?

aiding gear selection is common as are sliding mesh so need aligning, thinking bearings in out put shaft may be worn or loose mainshaft nut

Before the MOT did you replace the brake shoes?
If so remove drums and file top edge of friction material on trailing brake shoes.
They generally rub when you spin wheel in reverse but if shoes are not bedded in they can snatch in reverse.

+1 what Blackburn says. I got some non-chamfered brake shoes and they juddered going backwards, I just gave them a run over with a file as said. You can check by either seeing if it goes away with the adjusters unwound or jack wheels up and see if they snatch when going backwards. They always are a little harder to turn backwards but shouldn't jam...

Had this with my 88 not long after fitting a new clutch,like you only in reverse with some load[eg reversing a trailer].Lived with it a few years and it went away with the next clutch change.Plate was warped,but had no effect in forward gears.

tottot said:

Had this with my 88 not long after fitting a new clutch,like you only in reverse with some load[eg reversing a trailer].Lived with it a few years and it went away with the next clutch change.Plate was warped,but had no effect in forward gears.

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cant see that engine doesnt run in reverse,unless you never tried inching forward using clutch as you do in reverse

Allways been a mystery to me too,I remember there was a small judder going forward but it was put in the shade by the one in reverse.

Sorry for not keeping up to date with this but have been away. Many thanks for all the replies. I started her up on return of my holiday, no problems there! But then let the clutch up gently in first and no problems. then did same in reverse and there is a definate feel in the vehicle of resistance, like somethings binding maybe? Its pretty obvious and because of the resistance you get the judder. Another odd thing that happened was when I reversed up my drive which is fairly steep one rear wheel spun like hell the other not??? Could I have a broken driveshaft possibly? Think I'll check that on Sunday as its a pretty easy job.

Nah, if you had a broken drive shaft it wouldn't move at all unless you'd left it in 4wd.

Like I said jack wheels up and see if they'll spin backwards - do them all but it sounds like it might be the back one that's not spinning!

Will do, hopefully it will be dry Sunday Thanks Dominic!

Would not drive at all with a broken half shaft unless you are in 4WD.
Sounds like one brake is giving you bother. My series 3 juddered in reverse for years but that was a combination of oil from rear main seal and loose springs in the friction plate.

SORTED! Adjusters on both sides were too tight for new brake shoes fitted by previous owner , also filed the top edges of the shoes as you mentioned on both sides. Now I have much smoother turning wheels in reverse! Thank you all!