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Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 7:35 am
by davidpidge
Hi, I put a very used 1098 engine/box in my car in 2018. Did a couple of test drives and it ran fine but found it dificult to change gear (very stiff) and reverse was almost impossible to engage but I put it down to the gearstick retaining plate being damaged.
Got a new gearstick and plate recently and I still have the same issue. It engages every gear perfectly and drives forward in every gear without any noise but in reverse there's a deafening smashing of metal gears and it jumps out violently. I can make it move but have to hold the stick down hard and ride the clutch.
Anyway...
Is there a way to repair/replace parts for reverse gear without stripping the whole box (I think I already know the answer)
Is it possible for reverse to be so knackered when everything else works so well? Seems odd to me.
Cheera!
Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 8:32 am
by MM1949
Just a thought have you got the correct gear stick for the 1098 box?.
Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 8:38 am
by davidpidge
Yes. Well the first stick came with the box but I've just replaced it with possibly a midget gearstick but the plate and bottom of the stick are the same.
Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 8:50 am
by philthehill
Which Midget gearstick?
Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 8:52 am
by MM1949
Ok.
As I'm sure you know there are 2 sticks for the A series boxes (Morris, MG Midget etc), a short reach for the 948 smooth case top of the picture and a longer reach for the 1098 ribbed case bottom of the picture.
Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 10:05 am
by davidpidge
I do now.

Does anyone know the dimensions of that lower part?
Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 10:32 am
by philthehill
The ribbed case gearbox lever is 1.4" ball centre to ball centre.
The smooth case gearbox lever is 1.25" ball centre to ball centre.
Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Mon May 15, 2023 12:03 pm
by davidpidge
Ok thanks, that is a big difference. I'll check tonight.
Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 9:26 am
by davidpidge
I definitely have the wrong size gearstick. Thanks for the help guys. Just need to source a correct one now. Can't see any decent ones ebay.
Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 9:39 am
by ManyMinors
Why limit yourself to ebay? Just google search "Morris Minor gearstick" and there are plenty for sale from about £15.00 upwards

I don't know what you mean by "decent ones"? There isn't really a lot to go wrong with a gearstick is there?

Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 9:43 am
by davidpidge
ManyMinors wrote: ↑Tue May 16, 2023 9:39 am
Why limit yourself to ebay? Just google search "Morris Minor gearstick" and there are plenty for sale from about £15.00 upwards

I don't know what you mean by "decent ones"? There isn't really a lot to go wrong with a gearstick is there?
I mean they don't have a knob or plate. Are they meant to have that O ring around the larger ball? The old one I have doesn't but the new one I bought has it.
Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 1:32 pm
by MM1949
No O ring around the large ball.
As ManyMinors advised "Just google search "Morris Minor gearstick" and there are plenty for sale from about £15.00 upwards"
Just make sure you buy the long reach one.

Re: Reverse gear (or lack there of)
Posted: Tue May 16, 2023 5:10 pm
by kevin s
The knob unscrews and then the plate just lifts off.