Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Reverse gear

With my wife’s car it’s sometimes impossible to shift it in reverse.
Other moments it goes normal.
When it doesn’t want to go in reverse, it still will go in forward gears.
Going forward a bit doesn't solve the problem that moment.
Shifting is normal in all forward gears.
Her model car is with the with forward shift knob on the gear box.
Does anyone know the cause or solution ?

Hi, would your other car be a VW by any chance?
My son had a very similar problem with a VW Golf, I won't go into the problem yet as if it isn't a VW the problem may be totally different.

Rob....

Hi Laurens, probably worth asking the same question on the mx5 / Miata forums, likely you’ll need to register first. Or do some searches there. Good luck.

There's some sort of detent on the Mx5 box which stops the shift from 5th straight down to reverse, for those seeking 6th.

You can only get reverse from the horizontal part of the gate...….that's how mine is.

Hi Laurens, I remember having similar problems with an other car: the clutch was not separating properly.
I would start checking the clutch and if it separates properly. Maybe wait longer time before trying to enter reverse gear.
The other (synchronised) gears can handle not properly separated gearboxes better than the reverse gear.

Maybe this points to a solution.
Best regards, Karl

Reverse is at the far end of left right travel for the gear selector so any play in the shaft might mean it doesn't make it all the way over. Does the gear lever feel loose when you move it left to right. This is a normal wear part in the gear lever - there is a little half moon with a slot in it that sits on a dowel and the plastic wears. Mine has gone after 40,000 miles and it's common. Alternatively as they say look at the clutch but if this is dragging it will also be harder to get first stand-in still. In just in the process of doing mine now if it turns out to be this happy to help