(this is a duplicate of what i posted at 3si.org)

So i've got a 1st gen N/A 5speed... And when i first got it it ran great except for reverse popping out. You'd put it in reverse and go a bit and it would pop out and grind, and you'd have to put it back in.

I took it to a transmission specialist in the area, and they rebuilt it, and put in a new clutch, and slave cylinder and some other things i needed, but the main thing is the replaced the reverse gear, and reverse sliding gear.

It worked great for a couple weeks then it started doing it again, and i finally got around to taking it back to them, since they warranty their work for a year... So they got to looking at it and said i needed an input shaft because it looked like the edge where the reverse goes was worn down and maybe it was putting some horizontal force on it and causing it to pop out.

So they couldn't find an input shaft because the stopped making them..so i eventually bought Two of them on the board here (because one got lost in the mail, and eventually came...long story) anyway... they got the input shaft in and its still doing it....

they said they disconnected the cables to see if anything was pushing on the cable or something, and cant really find anything wrong...

Any ideas what it could be? They said they are looking for another tranny.

I just want my car back...

Yeah, you could say I've had the 5spd transmissions apart a few times...

Do you have the original reverse gear?

I believe the reverse gears changed over the years. One of the differences (if I remember correctly) is the height of the gear. If they put the wrong gear in maybe that would cause it to be partially engaged with the gear teeth on the input shaft, causing it to pop out of gear...

I think I have the 2 different gears and I'll take a look tomorrow.

If you have the transmission out and apart I may be able to take a look at it this weekend since I will be in that neck of the woods.

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Confucius say "Man who run behind car get exhausted, man who run in front of car get tired." Unless we are talking about a 3S. Then it's obviously "man who run is going to get another beer!"

Mine 1st gen does the same thing once and awhile.

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I still kept the old gears, they are in a box somewhere in a shed, And my car is in Potosi at Thill's Transmission. I was just going off of what they said (since i am no way capable of working on a transmission myself at this point)

Someone n 3si said maybe the arm that attaches to the idler gear might be bent or the cables themselves need to be adjusted.

i'd also like to add that this isnt like an occasional thing. Its every time, multiple times. I put it in reverse, go back about 2 feet and it jerks the car and pops out. i have to clutch in again, shift back into reverse, go very slowely another couple feet and it pops out again.

The only exception is down hill because i just roll

Also, just talked to the guy on the phone, and he says that the gear does get fully engaged so the arm isn't bent, and the reverse gear is the right height.

the guys at thill are pretty decent from what I've heard...

let me think about the situation some more and see if I can come up with any other ideas.

Stelthturkey - your gear is probably worn out. The reverse idler gear is not synchro'd...

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Confucius say "Man who run behind car get exhausted, man who run in front of car get tired." Unless we are talking about a 3S. Then it's obviously "man who run is going to get another beer!"

I had a transmission rebuild done by my friends father when I bought the vehicle. Since I know nothing about the transmission and wouldn't even dare trying to take it apart it is as is for now.

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A923KGT, How long does it take do you think to drop the tranny and rip it open? Do you have the tools? you said you had it open a few times.

Right now its all back together and in my car, was wondering if you had time sometime to take a look perhaps in the coming weeks, if you feel up to the task.

Thill's was looking for another tranny but they cant find anything cheap enough so its just been sitting there.

Actually i may have found a super cheap tranny, so we'll see.

I might be able to help out. What are you doing on Saturday?

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Confucius say "Man who run behind car get exhausted, man who run in front of car get tired." Unless we are talking about a 3S. Then it's obviously "man who run is going to get another beer!"

I'm heading to Oklahoma till tuesday. I'll let you know what my situation is when i get back.

I'll be in your neck of the woods on Sunday, let me know if you want me to take a look.

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Confucius say "Man who run behind car get exhausted, man who run in front of car get tired." Unless we are talking about a 3S. Then it's obviously "man who run is going to get another beer!"

Sorry i didnt check here recently. Thought id give an update. I managed to get a transmission from another guy here in WI for $200. Thill's went through, checked it out, and put new bearings and seals it in. My car now goes in reverse! haha... yes it still goes forwards too. Thills also reimbursed me for the parts i had to buy since it was under their warranty. Great service from them.

I also have my old transmission, and a couple spare input shafts.

Glad to hear you got it straightened out.

I'm interested in your extra transmission and input shafts if you want to sell them...

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Confucius say "Man who run behind car get exhausted, man who run in front of car get tired." Unless we are talking about a 3S. Then it's obviously "man who run is going to get another beer!"

Well i bought the one input shaft for $160 ... it got "lost in the mail" for almost a month then i found one for $80 and got that... and as soon as i got that the other one showed up too, so i spent like $240 on the 2 input shafts.

What would you be willing to pay for the 2 input shafts and a complete transmission (with new reverse and reverse sliding gears) that has a problem with reverse popping out?

I'd like to put the money back into my car for some weather stripping and seals on the doors

sending you a pm...

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Confucius say "Man who run behind car get exhausted, man who run in front of car get tired." Unless we are talking about a 3S. Then it's obviously "man who run is going to get another beer!"