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MG MGB Technical - Trouble getting gears

I am having trouble getting first and second gear. Have to really push the gear stick hard, there is no noise tho. Can only get reverse gear by turning engine off then selecting reverse and restarting the engine with cluch in other wise it just grinds. What is wrong?
S.K Denton

Check for clutch fluid level and then follow up in bleeding. It appears to be that your pedal is not moving the slave unit enouugh to release the clutch.
Check for leaks at the slave unit.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

Clutch is dragging. This could be from lack of travel caused by air in the system if it is regular and consistent, or from master seal problems or mechanical issues in the clutch itself if intermittent. The push-rod coming out of the slave should move about 1/2" as the clutch pedal is operated and released.
Paul Hunt 2010

The odds are that your problem lies in the clutch hydraulic system. Either your master cylinder is bypassing fluid internally, this is determined by no loss of fluid, or the slave is leaking, which shows up as a low fluid level in the master cylinder. It could possibly be a faulty clutch flex hose, but this is rare. I just finished working on a '73 TR6 that had the same symptoms. It turned out to be a faulty master cylinder, it was only 20 years old! I replaced it and the slave since the owner was concerned with getting the job done right. I only wish all of my customers took that approach. RAY
rjm RAY

Would there not be a grinding noise when ever i change gear if its the cluch? Somebody has said it maybe a selector rod?
S.K Denton

The gears can mesh without full de-clutching once "on the move". I agree that your problem is most likely hydraulic.

Check the slave cylinder and hose for leaks. Also remove the cover (if fitted) around the clutch/brake master cylinders and check for leaks there. Check the fluid level in the cutch master cylinder reservoir.
J Tait

It would only grind in reverse. In forward gears grinding would be prevented by the synchromesh failing to synchronise and not allowing the gears to engage hence no noise.
Iain MacKintosh

Thanks for the help. I will see what i can do this weekend and let you all no how it is going.
S.K Denton

This thread was discussed between 13/06/2010 and 15/06/2010

MG MGB Technical index

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