struggle to engage 1st gear. Any ideas?

Post by **davidpidge** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:56 pm

Hello everyone.
My moggie made it back safely to Surrey after a long drive to Cornwall recently which was nice. (My friends very rusty, very German campervan didnt!) haha. Victory! anyway....I've recently been having trouble engaging first gear.
It only happens when i've been driving for a few minutes, stop at a junction/at lights, go into neutral and then try to get back to 1st (from 2nd obviously). It doesnt always happen but when it does it takes 2-3 tries to get it! Anyone have any idea why?

I'm selling her this week and so want to get her in perfect working order before I sell. Other than this little issue shes running perfectly.

p.s. when it does engage it goes in perfectly smoothly with no resistance.

Post by **cormorant** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:53 pm

Might be a generally poor adjustment of the clutch actuation lever, which you would notice more trying to get into first from a standstill than going from one gear to another. Have you got excessive movement on the clutch pedal before you feel resistance? I usually set to 3/4".

Minors are happier going into 1st gear from a standstill if you briefly select 2nd gear then go into 1st (due to lack of synchromesh on 1st gear), you don't get a crunch doing it this way. Does it work well every time if you do this?

The hit and miss effect you are experiencing may therefore just be due to teeth lining up or meshing randomly

Post by **Alec** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:58 pm

Hello david,

I concur with Cormorant, check the clutch adjustment. but also is your idle speed on the high side? What about reverse gear, normally that also will be difficult if the clutch isn't quite clearing?

Alec

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:34 pm

The car gives you a nice drive to Cornwall - and back, and you reward it by 'selling' it!! No wonder it doesn't want to go in gear!!

Post by **Geraldine** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:08 pm

I also have trouble getting first gear, didn't realise that there was no synchromesh on first. Does this apply to later models, mine is 1969?
Part of my trouble is my short legs I think, have to stretch to get the clutch down fully!

Post by **ASL642** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:12 pm

I'm not that tall either - 5'1" (well nearly!) You can always reposition your seats in the car and re drill the mounting holes a bit forward which would make changing gear more comfortable for you.

Post by **ani** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:20 am

Putting those rubber seat blocks on the back of the seat make a real difference - sorted it for me.

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 1:29 am

regaliaqueen wrote:I'm not that tall either - 5'1" (well nearly!) You can always reposition your seats in the car and re drill the mounting holes a bit forward which would make changing gear more comfortable for you.

Remember if you do drill the seat bolts further forwards (or in any other location for that matter) you need to ensure there is some kind of spreader plate (inch square bit of decent thickness steel will do!) otherwise it'll pull through as soon as any stress is encountered (such as an accident or even repeated heavy braking!)

Post by **cormorant** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 10:12 am

Geraldine wrote:I also have trouble getting first gear, didn't realise that there was no synchromesh on first. Does this apply to later models, mine is 1969?
Part of my trouble is my short legs I think, have to stretch to get the clutch down fully!

Hi Geraldine no Morris Minor has synchro on 1st or reverse gear. Do the trick of going into 2nd briefly then into 1st when moving off from a standstill