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 Gear Selection Issues
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 21 May 2019 :  21:28:23 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi All,
I have been having some gear selection issues with the 95.
I have tried adjusting the column in both directions and following Melle's instructions from his excellent website.
However, I just can't get reverse...
When I got the car back on the road I was very pleased with the almost silent (yes, really!) and smooth gearbox. However, it seemed odd that first and second seemed very close to third and fourth. It worked though so I left it. Then one day I couldn't get second or reverse. A bit of wiggling with the bolts loose got them back but made third and fourth a bit harder to find...
That was ok though.
But then, on arrival at Swedish Day couldn't get reverse again. The engine was warm as expected after a long drive (engine temp good).
Then in the morning the gearshift seemed fine again - I guess because we were cooled down again.
Drove home, same problem when hot.
Back out to the car tonight (first time since Swedish Day!) thinking it would work cold but no, still no reverse.
So what next?
I think I will try disconnecting the linkage and checking we can engage all gears smoothly by hand at the gearbox.
Any further ideas welcome!
Thanks in advance!
Gareth

melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 21 May 2019 :  21:40:52 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Clutch correctly adjusted?

www.saabv4.com
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GeoffC
V4 Mad

United Kingdom
507 Posts

Posted - 21 May 2019 :  22:51:12 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Have you tried adjusting the LH engine stabiliser? I found with all the 96's I've had over the years tweaking that either in or out helps with gear selection issues after an engine out event. In fact Francis Tuthills rally 96 came into Keilder service with a problem geting one of his gears and after advising his service crew about the stabiliser tweak the problem was sorted. Worth a try.
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green96v4
V4 Mad

Canada
737 Posts

Posted - 22 May 2019 :  11:31:36 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Yes, try what Geoff said, when my 96 was my daily driver we had the engine/gearbox out for a repair and the same problem, the mechanic adjusted the stabiliser bar under the battery tray and solved the selection problems
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melle
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
3830 Posts

Posted - 22 May 2019 :  11:54:50 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Cood call. Never thought of that, my LHD cars don't have that stabiliser.

www.saabv4.com
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 22 May 2019 :  21:23:34 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions.
Clutch is good.
Stabiliser bar is a good point, not yet though.

I had another look under the bonnet with fresh eyes and something looked wrong. Had a look under the bonnet of the 96 and noticed something missing...



This spring is missing - that explains a lot about the feel of the lever...



Also, I feel like there should be a roll pin through this hole (picture above). However, the Haynes manual doesn't suggest one and I can't see any sign of one in any other nearby V4s - any one know what this hole is for?



Speaking of the Haynes manual...

Looking at column A (RHD) 9 and 10 appear to be in place attached to the bulkhead inside the car. I have the spring, 12 on the bench. What does "bush" 11 look like in real life? I'm sure I'll have one, just not sure what to look for.

One thing that has made me happy is that with the UJ disconnected the box snicks nicely into reverse by hand (tricky while driving!) but reassures me it's the linkage not the box.

Cheers

Gareth
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Iain G
V4 Fan

United Kingdom
159 Posts

Posted - 23 May 2019 :  11:35:04 Show Profile Reply with Quote
From memory I am pretty sure conical spring goes over the shaft between bulkhead and UJ. Taper pin with locknut holds UJ and spring in place?

Iain G
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 23 May 2019 :  21:49:34 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Hi,
Thanks Iain, your memory is correct I think. There is also bush no. 11 according to Haynes but as I don't know what it looks like I have left it out for now.
Anyway, having fitted the missing spring we now have a nice easy shift into reverse - winner! Still about of work to do with third and fourth but I am confident that is just column adjustment. Got sidetracked by other jobs so will have another play to try and get it perfect.
Cheers
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v4admin
Forum Admin

United Kingdom
519 Posts

Posted - 26 May 2019 :  16:16:40 Show Profile Reply with Quote
dont overlook the oil as well, use EP80 and ensure it is topped right up to keep the change good and smooth
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 24 Jun 2019 :  22:04:44 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Right then,
Having had gear selection issues at and after Swedish Day I parked the 95 up and had a bit of a break from it.
Been working on this instead:

Anyway, thought I best get back on with the gear selection issues dreading having to take the box out...
I had moved the steering column backwards and forwards about a million times then I thought the spring had cured it but it would get worse (no second or reverse at all) then I would adjust and it would get better but on for a short while.
Then I spotted it! One of the pins was loose in the lower UJ. Less than an hour swapping the linkage and we have one of the nicest V4 gearboxes I have tried - happy days!
Cheers
ps. Fresh oil already in there but yes, that can definitely make a difference.
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Woody
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
2758 Posts

Posted - 25 Jun 2019 :  01:49:09 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Great to see that you got to the route of the problem.
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greg124
V4 Fan

United Kingdom
173 Posts

Posted - 25 Jun 2019 :  10:38:28 Show Profile Reply with Quote
I also find that going off and doing something else for a bit often helps. Glad to hear you finally got to the bottom of it.
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Dirtbiker
V4 Guru

United Kingdom
1060 Posts

Posted - 25 Jun 2019 :  22:47:24 Show Profile Reply with Quote
Thanks Woody.
Clive - Good reason to have too many projects on the go!
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