No Reverse but gear cables look fine

[BigErch]

That'd be him
Since it's not a cable problem i'm letting him off the hook. Just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I really wanted to take the M100 to Glamis today as the weather was great - perfect for a soft top. I'm gutted it's more serious than cables, not sure what to do now

[Andy_J]

Only thing I can think of now is have you checked the gearbox oil is topped up properly, probably one of the first things that should be looked at

[BigErch]

Only thing I can think of now is have you checked the gearbox oil is topped up properly, probably one of the first things that should be looked at

Andy, oil levels are fine.

[Andy_J]

Sorry Archie all out of suggestions

[BigErch]

I'm ashamed to say I've not looked at the car for a few months but now it's stopped snowing I need my M100 back.
I'm trying to take the gear selector housing off. I've removed the four bolts but it's not budging. The handbook diagram isn't great but I can't see anything else holding it.
Any suggestions?

[dapinky]

The handbook diagram isn't great but I can't see anything else holding it.
Any suggestions?

Archie - use a bigger hammer!

Seriously, that's all there is to it (maybe not with a big hammer though!) - once the bolts are out, it is just stuck on with gasket paste so the seal neads to be broken mechanically. I usually find somewhere suitable to lever against with a screwdriver, and once it frees up it will just lift away.

[BigErch]

Archie - use a bigger hammer!

That's what i did
It was difficult to prise it apart with a screw driver but I got a claw hammer in at the radiator side, under the bit that looks like a Nimrods nose and it levered off easily.
I've took it apart and the reverse spring has broken, phew! Gearbox if fine
Now where am I gonna get a spring?

[dapinky]

Now where am I gonna get a spring?

Glad you got it apart - now I'll leave someone else to answer that one (I don't know!) - but surely it can't be that hard to sort out - is it a standard 'compression' coil spring?

[John_W]

Archie,
Glad you got the selector box off and the reverse block is all it was. Sorry I haven't been in touch to help since our chat at Duns, but I've been house painting. Anyway you managed to get at it without too much dismantling I hope.

No idea where you get a spring though. SJs? I'm going to drive into Aberdeen later so I can try B&Q if you want.

John

[BigErch]

I've tried most places now and it's obsolete. I hope i don't have to buy a whole gearbox just for a spring!
It looks very specific with a longer leg at one end and a 90 deg at the other. It must twist instead of compress.
Can u get springs made up?

[morciii]

i googled it and it seems theres a lot of companies who will make springs to order

http://www.masterspring.com/
http://www.springmasters.com/customsprings.html

there's a couple that could be worth a try. Hope you can get your Elan fixed soon!

[GeoffSmith]

I've used Associated Springs to make the stainless headlight springs - whadaya mean you haven't got a set yet.

[BigErch]

i googled it and it seems theres a lot of companies who will make springs to order

Thanks Morciii, I've sent an enquiry but unfortunately my spring is in bits so I'm not sure if it's possible to copy it.

I've got a gearbox specialist and he's asking if the gearbox is GM or Isuzu and what other car it might also be in. Does anyone know?
cheers Arch

PS. Morciii, do you want to be on the lotus stand at Glamis in July? We have some spaces but i need to know soon.

[John_W]

Archie,
If you do have to get one made, best get a few done for stock. I don't mind fronting some money for the common good. You never know - with so many new members on the forum, maybe one of them will let Stevo drive their car.

John

[GeoffSmith]

I've got a gearbox specialist and he's asking if the gearbox is GM or Isuzu and what other car it might also be in. Does anyone know?
cheers Arch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isuzu_Piaz ... _Canada.29

[dapinky]

I'm sure I may regret expressing so much interest in this ........


.... but which spring exactly is it that you have broken?

Have you a picture (or even a reference from the [unclear] parts book)?

[BigErch]

.... but which spring exactly is it that you have broken?

the part number is A100F6106S - Spring stopper Cam. It sits just above the main shaft and stops the lever going from reverse to 5th.
My spring was corroded and broken into 3 parts. It looks like not much oil gets up there even tho the gear oil level is OK.
There's an external hex nut which can be removed above this smaller shaft. It looks like you can lubricate the shaft spring thru there.

[Rambo]

Have you tried Christopher Neil, SW Lotus or SJS Archie ?

[BigErch]

Have you tried Christopher Neil, SW Lotus or SJS Archie ?

Yes, Lotus bits and a few breakers. I'm not keen on spending £500 on a gearbox when all i need is a spring

[dapinky]

I thought that might be the one you need......

.... but you don't actually NEED it

Many years ago my car decided to jam itself into 5th gear whilst I was driving - no problem until i came to a junction and had to slip the clutch like buggery to get to a safe location.

Once at the safe (car park) place I did the 'LEC telephone shuffle' and ended up on the 'phone to Specky who talked me through the procedure you have just undergone...

.. i discovered that the cam had slipped round the shaft and jammed the movement, but all gears were selectable through the big hole in the top of the 'box with a screwdriver - so the 'box was good!

I simply put it all back together with the selector in neutral, and continued the weekend using only 1st -4th gears.....

...except that on the way home I forgot and snuck it into 5th, where it stayed (but I realised whilst still on an open road, so carried on until i got to a layby).

It was a simple job (now I knew how to do it) to remove the cover, but instead of doing the same again I just removed the cam and spring and put it back together.

Everything was fine, and all gears can be selected - just that if you try and go from 5th to 6th there would be a horrible crunching sound and, no doubt, lots of damage

Anyway, the 'temporary, get-me-home repair' was done about 5 years ago, and the cam and spring should still be in the toolbox somewhere

If I can find it, I'll post it up to you.