The Rover-Landers of BC

Ughhhh!!!!!,

Just last night I commented to my wife how the '66 Series 2A was running great, and nothing had gone wrong recently. I shall never tempt fate again.

Today while driving around my transmission started slipping out of 3rd gear. I pulled over and found it wasn't engaging in reverse, 1st or 3rd ... any gear the selection lever was forward for. 2nd and 4th worked okay, but with a bit of noise and the occasional grinding. The selection lever goes into position fine, I just don't get any transfer to the drive shaft. Clutch seems fine and works as normal in 2nd and 4th.

Before I go diving into the transfer case (an area I know almost nothing about), any ideas?

Chris

Hi Chris

I guess the first thing to do is drain the oil from the trans and the transfer case and see if any big chunks come out.If nothing falls out then maybe try the next suggestion.

I would then pull the 2 front floor boards up then the centre tunnel section then the small lower piece of the firewall that the centre section attaches to. Then you will have a good view of the main shift lever and the rods that move the gears inside the trans. Some thing may jump out at you but I have the funny feeeling that the trans. and transfer case will have to come out.

Some of the fellows down in Victoria are very good at these 2a transmisions and may be able to look at it for you once the floor boards are out.

If you do not want to tackle it your self I know of a fellow in Victoria who rebuilds British trans. and would highly recommend him.
Victor 1962 Dormobile ( Hope for the best)

Thanks Dormy. I'll take a look tomorrow and see what's to see.

Well I grained the gear oil and it was nice and clear with very little grit and no chunks. I got the floorboards and transmission cover off, and removed some of the transfer case covers to see some of the guts. Nothing seemed out of line, unless you count the two springs that went dancing into the housing and I had to spend an hour and a half fishing them out.

Anyway, Dormy or anyone, any ideas? Name of a competent Series transmission mechanic in Victoria?

Thanks,

Chris

I would bet it is related to the shift linkage itself because 1st and 3rd are on different shafts and unrelated.

You mentioned "Transfercase". Nope- this will have nothing to do with the transfer case! Other than it comes out with the gearbox if you elect to remove it. My money is betting on it not being the gearbox other than the shift linkage. Possibly the shifter itself and not the shift forks.

When you have the tunnel off you can easily remove the shift linkage cover and remove the shifter (Sounds like you already have for those two springs to go wandering.) Check to see if you can shift when the gear shifter is removed. Use a large scewdriver or something to move the shift gates for and aft. The one on the far right is R, middle is 1 and 2, left is 3 and 4. Opposite what it is on the shift pattern on the gearshift knob. Rearward with the left one will put it into 3rd. See if it works. Try rearward on the middle one, which puts it into 1st. Remember, all the shift "gates" have to be in the middle (neutral) position before you can shift the next one or you jam them up.

After two months of real-life distractions I've finally pulled the transmission and dug out the guts. Turns out my main gearbox layshaft had sheared just before the first speed gear. Rats! so I need a new layshaft. Any local parts for sale?

Chris

Was wondering if our diagnosis was right! I'll have a look in my spare parts box, don't think I have layshaft. If you find one make sure you get the later version (part number 556040) which is correct for your gearbox.
Cheapest I've found is RDS @ $75
Matt

Hi Matt, Yup, the dang thing sheared right off I'm actually amazed we only got as much wiggle in the shaft as we did when poking around. Once I opened it up it was clear it had cleanly broken in two. Anyway, glad to hear the replacement part isn't too expensive. It's a suffix "C" gearbox, so yes ... the later shaft, which from what I've found is cheaper. Thanks for the diagnosis help and encouragement. I never would have ventured into removing and disassembling the transmission without it.

Chris
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