Bob's elderly triking needs some help!

[bobsmith49a]

Hi everyone. It's not often that FL16 asks for help but I need some help identifying a clutch/gearbox problem. Shifting gears is OK when moving, however trying to engage, and disengage 1st gear when stationary results now in an ever louder clunk from the drive chain. It's also difficult to engage neutral from 1st when stopping and parking. Clutch seems OK both changing up and down through the gears. Do I have a gearbox problem around the first gear or a dragging clutch. Ideas on solving the problem would be most welcome. Regards Bob

[Weg]

Hi Bob
My first reaction is that the selector barrel is not moving the gear quite far enough to get positive engagement.
Re-shimming the selector barrel may be the solution.
Stay calm.

[Weg]

Bob, you had this similar problem back in June 2012.
Did you get it fixed then or has it been a pig all it's life?
Best wishes
Tony

[bobsmith49a]

Hi, You are correct in that I had this problem before and the gearbox was sent off for a rebuild and a new clutch fitted. The problem has gradually been getting worse over the past year so much so that I have reduced my driving of the car due to the embarrassing clunk and struggle when engaging/disengaging first gear. I assume I am looking at another gearbox overhaul as I would like to get back to using the car more . Any recommendations of where to take the engine/gearbox combo once I remove it from the car? Bob

[peakrock]

I rebuilt the gearbox on my Type 3, including shimming the selector drum, but it still occasionally demands care to get it into first gear, so it's a characteristic of this type of gearbox to be awkward I would say.

It could be that you have a selector drum problem but it seems a bit unlikely given that you had the gearbox overhauled. It could be that the selector pawl mechanism needs adjusting (see the excellent gearbox rebuilding guide - link attached - on how it all works).

I think clutch drag is more likely, as the outer splines on the clutch plates can stick on the flywheel splines preventing a clean release. If it was mine, I would remove the engine and gearbox and split them so you can check the clutch out. I rebuilt my clutch recently with the Guzzi kit as it was grabbing and I used graphite spray on the splines. It's much better now and is more progressive pulling off in first. Whilst the gearbox is out you can also check the pawl mechanism is correctly adjusted. It might also be worth checking the whole gear change mechanism operates freely.

Here is a link to the rebuilding guide which I found invaluable. I used an electric impact drill with a half inch socket drive to undo the very tight bolts, much easier than trying to lock the gearbox and apply large amounts of force.

Dave

https://www.thisoldtractor.com/guzzitec ... _print.pdf

[Throwley]

I had this issue when I first acquired my T1. There was so much slop in the linkage from lever to gearbox that most of the movement at the lever was being lost by the time it got to the gearbox. I re-set angles, replaced clevises (and maybe a ball end, I think) and it's been right ever since.

[Weg]

re Selector Shimming.

Dave, the link to the gearbox strip article from Thisoldtractor is nicely written.
It doesn't cover the subject of shimming but does give link to the Pete Roper Guzzitec article.
Unfortunately the link doesn't work, nor does the bookmark I have for the same.

But
I do have a pdf copy on file if anyone would like a copy.
Tony

[bobsmith49a]

Hi all, sorry I have gone a bit quiet in this. Been very busy recently with builders and grandchildren. A time consuming combin. Thanks for the advice. I will be taking a very close look at the gear linkage and clutch travel first and then if that doesn't solve the problem then it's engine/gearbox out and continue to look at clutch and gearbox. Probably will try and find m/c gearbox expert locally to check out shimming etc.
Bob

[bobsmith49a]

Morning all
Found a bit of time to do some more checks. With the engine cold and not running I can select 1st and neutral very easily. There appears no problem with play in the linkage. I tried selecting 1st gear then pushing in the clutch and i can push the car easily and the engine doesn't want to turn over. I assume therefore that clutch drag is not a problem. I think it therefore must be a gearbox problem. Am I correct?
Regards Bob