M56 shifting issue

elc32955 · Post by **elc32955** » 23 Feb 2012, 17:24

Howdy!

I've got a 2004 V70 T5 with around 93K miles, M56 manual transmission. I've had intermittent issues last several days with getting the transmission to go into reverse. Seems that it doesn't want to drop into reverse all the time, depressing the clutch and then shifting into R occasionally brings gear grind when you start to let off the clutch. In this case I reengage the clutch and then push the lever a little further down (yes there is a little resistance), then I feel a very small "click" and the car is now in reverse. Talked to my indy and since he hasn't seen many M56's he's not totally sure what kind of adjustments there might be, he was saying probably on the shifter itself in lieu of the tranny. I've seen talk about worn bushings, etc.... in a few forums and thought this might have occurred to someone else.

Anyone have any ideas on how to resolve this or is this a common failure point? All of the forward gears are fine, smooth shifting, no problems. Sure wish Volvo had placed a decent overdrive gear in this setup, I'm running 3K or slightly higher RPM at 70 MPH... sigh... What in the heck were they thinking when they designed this tranny!

Thanks
Eric

Post by **bronxnativ** » 23 Feb 2012, 17:42

Don't know about your year, but I can speak for mine (a 96): My m56 will do the exact same thing. I've done a bit of research (online) and discovered that this is typical. It will eventually go into gear (as you discovered) by depressing the clutch in a second time. I'm about to do a gear oil change within the next few weeks (redline MTL) and I hear that this MAY solve this issue; we will see!

Post by **asc325is** » 23 Feb 2012, 20:55

On my s70 and 850, I used to push it into 1st before engaging reverse. worked every time.

clutch
1st
neutral
clutch out
clutch in
reverse

no noise or grinding. Some say it's the syncro's being messed up, putting it into first allows everything to be in the right place at the right time.

GL

Post by **JRL** » 24 Feb 2012, 14:08

Engage a tall forward gear before trying to shift into first and reverse like 4th or 5th gear, that will stop the mainshaft from turning.
This is a very old trick.
Try that and report back

elc32955 · Post by **elc32955** » 29 Feb 2012, 08:28

The clutch techniques don't seem to make a difference. It's almost like there is a physical issue with the shifter being out of tolerance or possibly something might be bent. Weird.....