Not a clue

Hi, looking for some help, and I’m exposing that I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing...

I drove my project Series 3 to its current place a month ago, to work on all sorts of bits and bobs. It’s an unfinished project, and the gearbox was described as working “as it should” however on coming to move it today, It doesn’t want to.

Thing is, the yellow lever isn’t secured properly. Flops about. The red lever goes into high, but won’t go into low. And to top it off, the front prop isn’t yet fitted! It moved forward and back ok before, and now I can’t get it to move. If, say, I’ve pressed the floppy yellow lever and it’s in 4x4, and stuck there, would the front out put rotate and not the rear wheels when letting the clutch out? Can the 4x4 stick? As I can’t get the red into low, would that confirm it?

if so, what’s the plan. I’m going to remove the tunnel cover first so I can see what’s what.

I’ve got a video of the levers but don’t seem to be able to upload.

any thoughts appreciated.

it should drive both outputs if its in 4x4 or low, on the end of the output housing is a tin cover the shafts can get seized behind there,

DeviousLandyGod said:

Hi, looking for some help, and I’m exposing that I haven’t got a clue what I’m doing...

I drove my project Series 3 to its current place a month ago, to work on all sorts of bits and bobs. It’s an unfinished project, and the gearbox was described as working “as it should” however on coming to move it today, It doesn’t want to.

Thing is, the yellow lever isn’t secured properly. Flops about. The red lever goes into high, but won’t go into low. And to top it off, the front prop isn’t yet fitted! It moved forward and back ok before, and now I can’t get it to move. If, say, I’ve pressed the floppy yellow lever and it’s in 4x4, and stuck there, would the front out put rotate and not the rear wheels when letting the clutch out? Can the 4x4 stick? As I can’t get the red into low, would that confirm it?

if so, what’s the plan. I’m going to remove the tunnel cover first so I can see what’s what.

I’ve got a video of the levers but don’t seem to be able to upload.

any thoughts appreciated.

Click to expand...

There are some bits missing from the yellow knob, which pushes down to engage 4wd in high range. It should have a spring, and some plates that hold the spring in place. It won't pop up without the spring.

Red lever may be seized through lack of use, or crud in the linkages. Take the tunnel off and examine it, lube it up, and it should work.

Yes, you should be able to drive in 2wd with 4wd engaged if you don't have a propshaft.

Manual and parts book are essential, and will reveal what bits you are missing.

jamesmartin said:

it should drive both outputs if its in 4x4 or low, on the end of the output housing is a tin cover the shafts can get seized behind there,

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this?

DeviousLandyGod said:

View attachment 237242
this?

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front end ,if it is working properly if you pull up on yellow knob whilst pulling red lever fully back should disengage 4x4

Well, something was stuck, but with it in reverse and not running, the red lever shifted and I could select low. Been ok since... must be as it’s been sat a while.....

Convinced the yellow knob does nothing though...

With no front prop to turn there is nothing for the yellow knob do. The linkage inside needs a bit of resistance for the bits to line up and the front out put to engage.

DeviousLandyGod said:

Well, something was stuck, but with it in reverse and not running, the red lever shifted and I could select low. Been ok since... must be as it’s been sat a while.....

Convinced the yellow knob does nothing though...

Click to expand...

Without a front propshaft, you don't know if it does anything.

Turboman said:

Without a front propshaft, you don't know if it does anything.

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True. I’m expecting that the pin should drop down and the knob come up, when encouraged whilst putting in LR.

Does this look right? Is that a cover on the end of the shafts that might be gunky? Or is is right that the pin won’t go in until the prop is back on giving some resistance?

I’ll take the floor out again and clean it up... but maybe pop the prop back first, PO kindly left a new one in the back.

DeviousLandyGod said:

True. I’m expecting that the pin should drop down and the knob come up, when encouraged whilst putting in LR.
View attachment 237268
Does this look right? Is that a cover on the end of the shafts that might be gunky? Or is is right that the pin won’t go in until the prop is back on giving some resistance?

I’ll take the floor out again and clean it up... but maybe pop the prop back first, PO kindly left a new one in the back.

Click to expand...

It is what happens on the inside that matters.

4wd is engaged by a system known as a dog clutch, where small metal dogs engage in a disc with holes in it.
So when you press down the yellow knob, the engagement depends on the rotation of the driving plate of the dog clutch with the plate with the holes in it.
The two plates will be moving about the same speed, because the front wheels are being turned by the road as you go along.
This turns the propshaft, which turns the driven member of the dog clutch, so the dogs engage.

So 4wd only engages in high easily when the propshaft is fitted, and the vehicle is moving.

DeviousLandyGod said:

True. I’m expecting that the pin should drop down and the knob come up, when encouraged whilst putting in LR.
View attachment 237268
Does this look right? Is that a cover on the end of the shafts that might be gunky? Or is is right that the pin won’t go in until the prop is back on giving some resistance?

I’ll take the floor out again and clean it up... but maybe pop the prop back first, PO kindly left a new one in the back.

Click to expand...

the pin wont drop down until the shaft below it hole lines up which happens when the red lever is pulled back and outer shaft behind the tin cover slides forward

That looks right but you do need the guide / cover for the yellow knob and the spring as this is all part of the mechanism.

rob1miles said:

That looks right but you do need the guide / cover for the yellow knob and the spring as this is all part of the mechanism.

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Yeah, thanks. I think the spring is on the shaft but dropped down... need a guide/cover if anyone’s got one... not a part you see for sale often..

DeviousLandyGod said:

Yeah, thanks. I think the spring is on the shaft but dropped down... need a guide/cover if anyone’s got one... not a part you see for sale often..

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Quite sure I have one pm me your address and I will find postage cost.

Blackburn said:

Quite sure I have one pm me your address and I will find postage cost.

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Hey, that’s good of you.. this forum is great, full of top people! I’ll pm you now.