Manual Gearbox Issue

[R32GTS4]

G'Day all,

last night I jumped into my car and could not select reverse.

The car is a manual '89 R32 GTS-4 (turbo), with only 42k on the odometer. I've added 19k since I imported it March 2005.

There is no history to my knowledge of any gearbox issues until now. I still cannot select reverse, while all forward gears engage as per usual. Clutch is stock but fine, and mods are minimal.

It feels as if the plate/spring that stops you from shifting directly from 5th to reverse is still in place (i.e. possible failure).

I've booked the car into a transmission specialist....

Has anyone experienced a similar problem?

If so, what was the exact problem, solution and at what expense?

Many thanks in advance!

Cheers.

[SteveL]

PM cowie165 he'll be able to tell you all about it (had the same problem and fix is relatively simple and cheap - broken reverse check mechanism).

[R32GTS4]

Thanks for the referral - a quick solution would be great!!!!

Cheers

[cowie165]

Hi Phil

My symptoms were the same. It felt like reverse wasn't even there. SteveL helped me out and was 100% with his diagnosis.

The problem is most likely to be the spring (32185) has broken/fallen out and then part 32183 mechanically locks you out of reverse just like you have described. The lockout operation/type is common to most Nissan gearboxes so you don't really need to fuss over a 'performance' gearbox guy. That said, if you take it to a gearbox guy rather than a mechanic, you'll probably get away with it cheaper.

The guys I went to (have the number/address if you're in Sydney) removed the crossmember and were able to slide the gearbox back a little - just enough to access the reverse check assy on the passenger side, sorta behind the front pipes.

As the guys were able to move the gearbox rather than take it out, the cost was three hours labour ($165) rather than a gearbox R+R ($350+).

I hope this helps dude. The good news is that it's a fairly easy/painless fix (as Steve said) and the guys that would like to rebuild your gearbox in toto are probably just short on jobs at the moment.

Cheers

Mark

[R32GTS4]

Thats fantastic help guys (SteveL and Mark)!!

I've got it booked in for Monday. me hopes a similarly quick and simple fix.

I'll hand over the details to the transmission guy, and take the opportunity to replace gearbox oil with the (expensive but reputable) Redline Shockproof fluid.

Once again,

thanks Mark and Steve for help so far and I'll post up results early next week!

Until then, being wary of hills.....

Cheers

[R32GTS4]

All fixed! I had a small chat with the transmission guy before handing over the keys, armed with a printout of the same FAST schematic as above. The problem proved to be exactly the same as identified by SteveL and experienced by cowie165: broken spring (part 32185) which was locking me out of reverse.

I also had the helpful guys at Automac Transmissions replace the oil with a gallon of Redline Shockproof Lightweight Gearbox Oil.

Result? One full-functioning, smooth-shifting gearbox.

Cost was a very reasonable $85 for the labour/ parts (not including Redline Oil, which I bought elsewhere).

The gent. who replaced the oil said it was full/ dribbling at slightly under the 3.784L - which suggests to me that the R32 GTS4's gearbox has slightly lower capacity than the equivalent R32 GTR....more like the same capacity of the GTS-t.

Anyway, if anyone else has the same problem, I would suggest that you arm yourself with the same diagram to aid the mechanic, and they will hopefully be able to replace the spring mechanism in a similar fashion (removing the crossmember out of its place and sliding the gearbox back slightly - just as they did with cowie165's).

Very chuffed that it's fixed - and many many thanks to SteveL and Mark!

Cheers :lol:

[cowie165]

Great to hear mate! And you paid half what I did Result!

[R32GTS4]

Up to me to pay it forward - lets hope the next person to experience this problem doesn't fret...... and realises help is but a click on the SEARCH button away...

A win for the forum i think!

Once again, thanks for your speedy replies and generosity....

Cheers mate!!!

[Oosh]

I think I'm that next person...

...no reverse this morning and all the same symptoms.

Now to find a reputable mech to sort it out.

[R32GTS4]

If I paid approx. half the price that Mark to have the identical problem fixed, I wonder what you'll pay?

Hopefully less again...

As mentioned, easily fixed by transmission experts.

I found that walking in with a pre-diagnosis (and above schematic) helped in this case.

good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Oosh]

It's turned in to a bigger problem now, I barely got home last night using only 2nd gear, and now it seems stuck in 5th in my garage.

[cowie165]

Whilst I was diagnosing my problem a few guys suggested it may be a broken selector fork.

[NAman]

Cowie165,

Picture is not working

Could i get you to pm it to me please

[cowie165]

Cowie165,

Picture is not working

Could i get you to pm it to me please

Damn, sucks that the gallery is down.

I'll have to grab it from FAST again. I might attach it here as well as PM to you NAman

[cowie165]

[NAman]

Thanks heaps cowie165

Fingers crossed it's what I hope it it!

I'll let you know how I go

Moderator- sould we make this a sticky? common to all skylines and nissans?

Once againe thanks to cowie165

[CeJay]

Thought I'd bump this, had the exact same thing happen with my car. Same problem. A few hours later, with replacement spring, problem was sorted. Lots of thanks for the info, this thread was a lifesaver

[=premo=]

same problem, hopefuly i get time to fix it before drift prac next weekend.

so everyone who has had this problem just bought the part, replaced it and problem solved?

nobody had a different issue. (dont want to pull it apart saturday morning to find its a bigger issue when i could have just got people to push my car whenever i need to reverse)

cheers

Edited August 13, 2007 by =premo=

[CeJay]

Well mine was no reverse, basically locked out, parts 2.50, I showed them the printout, they found the part. (nissan) took a week or so to show up. So if your reverse gear feels like it's locked out, that probablys the problem. Didn't do it myself. But been told it's not a gbox out job, isn't easy to reach though.

No probs with reverse since. Don't know if it's the same part on a rwd 32 gbox though.

[Mike__]

this thread just helped me out bigtime! Have the exact symptoms.

Started to pull apart hte shifter last night. Discovered a leaking slave cylinder in the process which ill replace.

thnx boys

mike