I've got a '97 Mazda 323 1.8 and its developed a strange problem.

Whilst reversing off the drive the gearbox simply locked up in reverse - the car would not reverse and you could not move the gear lever!

Had it collected by local gearbox place and when they went to drag it off the drive it all freed up and everything was fine however by the time they got to the workshop it had locked up again.

Had a call today and its now freed up again and seems to be working fine, whats going on? any ideas?


Rob

Might be the reverse idler not engaging/disengaging properly.
Might be a synchro hub not disengaging from its gear.
Either situation could be due to wear or lack of lubrication or a sticking/partially seized selector shaft or external gear linkage.

Might be a broken/worn thrust washer or circlip on one of the shafts allowing a gear to mesh with something it shouldn't be meshing with.

Might be un-, sub- or super-natural forces at work

Let us know what the garage says, it may have just needed an oil change or an adjustment to the external linkage.

Ed

[quote="ed"]Might be the reverse idler not engaging/disengaging properly.
Might be a synchro hub not disengaging from its gear.
Either situation could be due to wear or lack of lubrication or a sticking/partially seized selector shaft or external gear linkage.

Might be a broken/worn thrust washer or circlip on one of the shafts allowing a gear to mesh with something it shouldn't be meshing with.

Might be un-, sub- or super-natural forces at work

Let us know what the garage says, it may have just needed an oil change or an adjustment to the external linkage.

Ed[/quote]

You should've started that with "You may want to sit down"

Phone garage and they think clutch may be sticking, there going to drop the gearbox today and check it over, don"t see how a clutch sticking would lock the box up but there the experts so i"ll have too wait and see

[quote="DuFFMaN"]

You should've started that with "You may want to sit down" [/quote]


I'd only say that if I thought it might be serious

Ed

got the car back today had new clutch fitted box striped down and reverse gear replaced because it was chipped causing it to jam .
Cost of all this is -colection fee £30 supply and fit clutch £175.00 gear box oil £6 remove box completely strip replace reverse gear, refit and road test -parts £95- LABOUR 10.5HRS AT £39.80 per hour £409.50 then lovely VAT-£125.34 which totals £841.64.
I can claim £200 back off a warrenty which came with the car.
Had to get it done because we are going on holiday on sat and needed the car to drive from just out side birmingham to manchester airport

Ouch ! Still - at least you can expect your gearbox to behave itself for the next 100,000 miles or so, and you won't have to worry about the clutch for a while ...