help! stupid thing won't go into gear.

kriemhild · August 02, 2012, 05:06:00 PM

Well, I'm a Miss with no car knowledge. You'll have to forgive any vagueness or un-car-knowledge lack of savvy.

Some mornings I get into the thing and I can't get the lever to shift into any gear. Sometimes it'll go into reverse with an unhappy crunch. Whenever this happens the boyfriend gets underneath it with a pair of pliers and a small crescent, muttering something about a cable- but whatever adjustments he makes only seem to hold temporarily, giving the clutch a different biting point every time. The strange thing is that it'll happily clop through the gears while it's not running. Anyone got any ideas as to what's actually wrong? The boyfriend thinks he knows more about cars than he actually does- I'd rather find out the nature of the fault from you fellas; to learn what to do so that I don't have to call on help when it won't go into gear on those frosty mornings...

(R)

avenga · August 02, 2012, 06:19:33 PM

Yup, it is the clutch. It will change gears when the engine is off because the gearbox is not spinning.

The clutch is designed to temporarily disconnect the engine from the gearbox allowing you to change gear. As the clutch gets worn you can adjust the cable so it still bites. Sounds like your clutch might be fully worn out if you have been having to make adjustments to it.

Do you ride the clutch much? that is the quickest way to wear out your clutch.

You can still buy new clutches, I put a new one in my '75 last year. Try BNT and see if they have one.

oldschool · August 02, 2012, 06:22:12 PM

I think you explained that pretty well...sounds like clutch adjustment, but if the pliers and small crescent aren't doing the job...change your boyfriend...or the clutch...whichever is easier?!...LOL

avenga · August 02, 2012, 06:33:35 PM

haha lol

JoKer · August 02, 2012, 07:19:42 PM

ya clutch, it may already be adjusted fully / might require new clutch

kriemhild · August 02, 2012, 08:31:23 PM

The boyfriend reckons it had a new clutch plate, new clutch plate and new spigot bearing put in it. But it was a dodgy mechanic that did this... The BF reckons that a lock nut might be missing off the "adjustor" or whatever. Is he the oracle? or nae?

JoKer · August 02, 2012, 08:41:20 PM

plausible

azza1600 · August 02, 2012, 08:42:18 PM

Might pay to check that the cable isn't pulling thru the firewall, weak point from new on avengers, I know a mechanic that worked at a Todd dealer in the seventies, every week he repaired at least a couple

avenga · August 02, 2012, 08:43:24 PM

Yup, that could be the case. If the clutch cable is slipping then the would cause the symptoms you are explaining.

Buy a locknut and chuck it in there, you shouldn't have to adjust the clutch very often on an Avenger. I run a ford 5 speed in my Avenger so I can't remember what the standard gearbox uses for a locknut.

kriemhild · August 03, 2012, 09:46:09 AM

thanks guys! off to do some research. Will try locknut first. Figure the locknut won't cost much and if that's the problem, yahoodoodoodle it's fixed!

Already done the firewall thing. The BF welded a plate in there where the cable goes thru... hmm... will post picture and see what you reckon. Is it possible for me to post pictures on this thread- or do I need to start a new thread?

JoKer · August 03, 2012, 10:12:22 AM

haha yea my Throttle linkage was starting to eat arcoss my fire wall back in the 90's lol

kierbear · August 03, 2012, 03:00:52 PM

was the mumbling something like "fucking piece of shit avenger, grrr" i am all too familiar with this. FYI the bf thing is a termainal condition.

kriemhild · August 03, 2012, 10:20:21 PM

Here's what the mister and his welding-ness has managed to achieve. Do all of you think this might do the business re the firewall problem? O yes he's all grrr why did she want this ancient old trout of a car. I just wish I had the know-how on how to work on it myself.