Stuck in reverse gear

[Keith UK 6]

Hi,

I have just found this site and hope someone can help. I have a C121 8 speed which I have owned and used for about 10 years. Today while cutting the grass it has become stuck in reverse gear. Although I have done a few things on the old girl (as well as general maintenance) I have never had to get close to the gearboxes. The lever seems to have no movement in any direction at the gate and there were no nasty or unusual noises when it happened. The high and low lever is free.

Does anyone have any tips for me before I start to dismantle everything?

Keith

[Racinbob 11,257]

The first thing you need to do is remove the shifter. Look down the hole and you'll see the shift forks. Use a screwdriver and slide them until they look like this.

 

Replace the shifter with the ball at the end in the rectangular hole making sure the dogpoint setscrew goes in the hole in the front of the ring. Tighten the setscrew until some resistance is felt as you shift through the gears then back off a fuzz and tighten the locknut holding the set screw in place as you do so. If that doesn't fix it, get back to us. .

[Keith UK 6]

Hi Racinbob,

Thanks for such an immediate response. As I was reversing the old girl back to the garage to start removing the shifter (we call it the gearstick over here!) the gearstick freed itself and I now have all gears again. I guess I must have started to select reverse gear before I had fully stopped moving and the shifter and the gear selectors hadn't engaged properly. Anyway now I have found this forum I will pop by from time to time. I have never rebuilt my wheelhorse as I have been too busy rebuilding a couple of old cars that I have but scanning this site you guys seem to be able to keep Wheelhorses going forever which is great. Perhaps one day I'll give mine some real attention rather than just using it.

Thanks again for your help.

Keith

[Racinbob 11,257]

Glad to hear that Keith. I would suggest adjusting the shifter as I mention. That's likely what caused your issue. They do get loose after time.

[stevasaurus 22,883]

Also, it is important to come to a complete stop before shifting.    Bob's fix would have worked for you if it happens again. 

[DougC 2,641]

Keith..... and I'm chuffed to bits (that means very happy. FYI USA members... ) your horse is now able to have a forward direction. It's much easier to sip that room temp. beer driving forward while mowing than backwards...... 

By the way..... I've been stuck in reverse most of my life..........

[SylvanLakeWH 26,002]

 

 

5 hours ago, stevasaurus said:

Also, it is important to come to a complete stop before shifting.    Bob's fix would have worked for you if it happens again. 

 

REPEAT - DEAD STOP before shifting gears!!!

[Keith UK 6]

OK guys. Thanks for the friendly welcome and the advice. I've now finished cutting the grass, I'v had my warm beer and I've started in the garage to adjust the "shifter". As I am not used to keyhole surgery can you tell me what the size of the lock nut is as 7/16"AF doesn't seem to fit snugly. Also it looks as though the stud that holds the shifter in place might have an Allen key slot in the end. Is this right and what size is it? Sorry to ask what you might feel are stupid questions but I just can't get my head and hands down the hole to see everything properly and I'm sure you know the answers!

Keith

[stevasaurus 22,883]

The nut should be a 7/16" and the Allen head set screw is 1/8".    If you have a long Allen wrench, you should be able to come at it from under the frame.  The dog point on the other end of the set screw goes into the front hole in the shifter ball.  Tighten the set screw until snug, then back off about 1/4 turn.  Hold in place and tighten the lock nut. 

    That set screw looks long, but that is OK.  I would not think they are metric...they should not be. 

[Keith UK 6]

Thanks Stevasaurus. It is now soaking in penetrating oil as the nut is reluctant to move with an open ended spanner and I can't get a ring spanner on it. 

[stevasaurus 22,883]

Is the shifter sloppy??  One thing is for sure...do not snap off that set screw !!!!!!  It is hardened and is not easy to drill out if it snaps.  Soak it good.    Did you try a metric on the nut...maybe an 11 or 12??  I have a little pipe wrench that gets in there and works good.

[ACman 7,621]

There are no stupid questions here  just good answers ! Welcome to  Red Square ! Luckily I watch Wheeler Dealers enough that I can understand what you Brits are saying(  the boot is the trunk , the bonnet is the hood) . Keep us posted and we like  .  Cheers

[Keith UK 6]

Yes, the shifter is a bit sloppy so I guess tightening that set screw will stop a lot of that. I'll wait for the penetrating oil to work its magic before trying anything else. I'll get my metric spanners out in readiness. Thanks for the notification that the setscrew is hardened. I'm sure that once I've got the lock nut slack I can gently work the screw loose enough to tighten it onto the shifter ball slot.

Thanks for "looking over my shoulder" so to speak.