jumping out of reverse

[daytona595]

My 51 plate 406 keeps jumping out of reverse and i'm becoming very embarrassed when it happens. Can it be sorted?

[steve_earwig]

Hi there. Could be the linkages but also could be the selector shaft's bent in the 'box You don't say what breed of 406 you have so I don't know if it's rods or cables but either way make sure they're all nicely lubed up. 406s don't generally do that, crunchy changes, grinding noises and the occasional stripped gear. Did you buy it off a gorilla?

[Welly]

I would check the engine and gearbox mounts for excessive play, and all the rods, ball + sockets, etc. etc..

[daytona595]

Hi there. Could be the linkages but also could be the selector shaft's bent in the 'box You don't say what breed of 406 you have so I don't know if it's rods or cables but either way make sure they're all nicely lubed up. 406s don't generally do that, crunchy changes, grinding noises and the occasional stripped gear. Did you buy it off a gorilla?

Hi Steve, Thanks, sorry i didn't say but it's the 2.2 SRI, i've noticed when it's warm is's alot worse, sometimes i struggle to engage reverse at all and have to choose a parking space carefully

[Weaver]

My 406 does this, ( 2001 2.0 Exec), I have checked all the linkages and they seem fine. I've added some Slick 50 gearbox treatment to the gearbox, and the gear changes seem a lot smoother than they were previously. I've found the gearchange a bit notchy, especially when cold. The car has 84k on the clock and I've owned it since 38k and it's always had a notchy gearbox and been difficult to engage reverse sometimes.

[Weaver]

Seems to be getting worse now. I dread having to reverse.

[steve_earwig]

So, what does it actually do? Does the clutch release fully? Looks like it's cables (I thought all the BE3 gearboxes were but apparently not), they always used to be a disaster... Is there anything fouling the lever? (pull boot off and check).

I think your engine is a EW10J4


Is that link (10) adjustable? There seems to be a couple of rubbers that you can replace (11), are yours kerplunked? Service Box won't give me prices just now (it gets Sundays off?) but it's the same set as a 1.8 16v - if that helps in the breaker's...

I'm thinking you need to look at the cables etc. before you go looking for a new 'box. Anything that looks loose can be temporarily packet with insulating tape just to try it. Not sure what else to suggest...