Pops out of 1st gear

[bahbzilla]

This is probably a "Gearbox 101" question... I just got my gearbox back in (5spd) after putting in a clutch kit to fix a problem with the clutch engaging too close too the floor. Now the clutch engages beautifully and the car shifts great, but it wants to pop out of first gear if I take my hand off the shift lever. It did not do this before I fiddled around with it. It's not much trouble in normal driving, but around parking lots and such when you want to use both hands to crank the steering wheel, it is a pain in the neck. I searched and couldn't find any old threads. Any ideas?

Bob
1980 TR7 DHC

[Beans]

I’d say it doesn't engage first gear properly due to excessive wear or play somewhere in the gear selector.
Start with checking the gear change extension for any movement due to worn bushes.
Also check the two ball joints on the selector shaft in the gear change extension for any play.
If nothing wrong there, it’s inside the ’box [B)]

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[bahbzilla]

Thanks Beans. Now that you mention it, when I put put the gearbox back in, it would not go into reverse at all. It turned out that the reverse light switch was blocking the lever. I backed the switch out some and then it went into reverse OK. Something must have gotten moved around in the shift extension mechanism somewhere along the way. (I have fairly new poly bushes on it, so OK there)

Bob
1980 TR7 DHC

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

Grab the gearshift knob and pull straight up. If it moves at all, replace the housing bushings.

Clay

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