Hard to engage reverse.

pritch · Post by **pritch** » 20 Jun 2012, 11:12

2001 2.5 v70 diesel manual.
Hi,
Just recently I'm finding it harder to engage reverse gear. Is my gear box on the way out or could it be something more simple?
Thanks

CountryBum-kin · Post by **CountryBum-kin** » 20 Jun 2012, 17:13

The problem could be with the linkage.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 20 Jun 2012, 20:10

pritch wrote:2001 2.5 v70 diesel manual.
Hi,
Just recently I'm finding it harder to engage reverse gear. Is my gear box on the way out or could it be something more simple?
Thanks

Always begin with a Fluid change to see if it improves. I've had exceptional results with these fluids in PW Steering, Engine, Auto Trans and Manual Trans. It could also be a throw out bearing especially if you can hear it.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/sho ... detail.htm

Blessings,
BKM
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Post by **jimmy57** » 20 Jun 2012, 21:17

The clutch hydraulic system is a likely cause.
Does the car to begin to creep if it is in first gear if you bring clutch pedal away from floor just a little bit?
Usually a properly operating clutch that fully disengages will not have any creeping on level ground until pedal is more than 5 cm/ 2 inches off the floor as you let pedal up to take off. If it creeps right off floor then it is not fully disengaging and Reverse synchronizers (the M56's may not be synchronized in reverse but I think they are, most newer manual transaxles are) are not as hardy as the forward gear synchros and it will let Reverse grind in that situation when 1st doesn't. If not a reverse synchro'd box then certainly grinds when clutch not fully releasing.
If clutch is not fully disengaging then putting it in a forward gear first and then going to reverse usually stops the grinding.

The clutch effort on Volvos of that range has an assist spring under dash and the pedal effort will often feel unchanged when the hydraulics get air in them due to failing master cylinder or failing concentric slave cylinder. The slave cylinder is around trans input shaft and works directly, not via a release arm with slave cylinder outside bell housing.

If you determine by testing that the clutch is not fully releasing a clutch hydraulic flush with new fluid may buy you time before you have to replace the system.

pritch · Post by **pritch** » 21 Jun 2012, 12:50

Hi,
Clutch seems fine ,biting right at the top and not near the floor.I will give the fluid a try and see how it goes.
Thanks for replies.

Post by **JRL** » 21 Jun 2012, 13:09

As was said, put it in 3rd or 4th before trying to engage reverse and it should go right in.
Just a quick in and out, it stops the mainshaft from rotating
EVERYONE should do this anyway, it's easier on the tranny, make it second nature

pritch · Post by **pritch** » 22 Jun 2012, 07:26

I've been quoted £10 for two litres of gear box oil(he said its good stuff).Sounds too cheap to me ?

Post by **sk49** » 22 Jun 2012, 12:19

I had to pay €76 for 4 litres from Volvo. An oil change didnt help for me. It was a broken selector cable in my case. I have just updated my thread about it too.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 22 Jun 2012, 20:56

pritch wrote:I've been quoted £10 for two litres of gear box oil(he said its good stuff).Sounds too cheap to me ?

Hi pritch,

If you are referring to the Swepco try a local Reputable Porsche or High Performance Shop and get a quote. Try double clutching before putting in reverse.

http://www.waycoolinc.com/z3/essentials ... ifting.htm
Double clutching is a technique for rev-matching the transmission's *intermediate shaft* to the output gear that is to be selected. This is a function that is normally handled automatically by the transmission's synchro-mesh gears (or synchro's). It is useful to double clutch for extreme gear changes, for older transmissions with worn synchro's, or simply to save wear on the synchro's. It's also an entertaining thing to do.

Blessings,
BKM
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Post by **JRL** » 23 Jun 2012, 08:51

Not necessary
Just put it into 3rd or 4th, count one-one thousand and put it into 1st or reverse whichever gear you want to use