Stuck in First Gear

[JohnnieBriggs]

Hello my esteemed colleagues,

I have a 1970 Morris Traveller called Olywn. My brakes failed and to take emergency action I managed to get her into first gear. It was down hill and I live in Yorkshire. I cannot get her out of first gear!!! Has anyone any suggestions? I have tried rocking, but to no avail.

Thanks,

Johnnie

[StillGotMy1stCar]

Have you seen this post:viewtopic.php?f=4&t=32333&p=538107&hilit
It is most likely what has happened to yours.
I noticed one of my gearboxes has a bronze spacer on the selector rail to prevent this.
If you take the side cover off the gearbox take note of detent springs and balls that may fall out, they are held in by the cover.
Regards John

[JohnnieBriggs]

Hello John,

Thank you so much for this. I hadn't seen this thread and it is really helpful. I am going to take the cover off and have a look. I need to find some drawings, or an article that explains how the morris gearbox works and this will help me understand the process.

Best wishes,

Johnnie

[liammonty]

What Rob describes in his post in the link will almost definitely be the problem - it’s exactly what happened to my car (on the overrun) about 10 years ago. Good luck!

[oliver90owner]

Where is the car now? If still facing steeply down-hill where the brakes failed, it may just need towing backwards or running to a level spot to get the load off the gears. If other....then likely as the thread indicated (too old for me to see unless I change my settings)

[biomed32uk]

When I rebuilt my gearbox I also made a bronze spacer up to go on the selector rod so the gear cannot overtravel.

It has gone too far and allowed the detent balls from the gear hub to start escaping, popping the side cover off should allow you to get in there and hopefully encourage the gear back. There are 3 detent balls in the hub.

Don't hang on the gear lever too hard as you'll end up bending a selector fork.

[JohnnieBriggs]

Where is the car now? If still facing steeply down-hill where the brakes failed, it may just need towing backwards or running to a level spot to get the load off the gears. If other....then likely as the thread indicated (too old for me to see unless I change my settings)

I managed to drive it the 800 yards back to my home, in first gear! I am going to take the inspection cover off to see if I can see where the problem is. The threads have all been helpful. Thank you for your help. Johnnie

[JohnnieBriggs]

What Rob describes in his post in the link will almost definitely be the problem - it’s exactly what happened to my car (on the overrun) about 10 years ago. Good luck!

Thank you for your help. I am beginning to think that this is the path to explore. Best wishes, Johnnie

[JohnnieBriggs]

Thank you for your comments, links and help. I am going to have a look at the inspection cover and see what I can see. I am probably going to get a bearing and repair kit and have a go at repairing the gearbox. I will try and find Phil in Silsden and see if he help, or offer a good price for reconditioning. Best wishes, Johnnie