Cant select 2nd/4th on Hewland Mk9

[IDSRacing]

The title says it all! I can get 1st/3rd but not 2nd/4th. The car is new to me so I dont have any history on the box. I cant see any way to adjust the linkage to get more throw out of it. I started to take the end cap off the box but realised it's a bit more complicated than I thought. There is an adjuster of some kind (maybe related to adjusting the hockey-stick) on the right hand side. Does that need to be removed?Where do I go from here!Link to photo of end cap: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ATXyMxUGunCcWGVR6

[billtebbutt]

Take the cover off the end of the gearbox. Have someone attempt to row thru the gears and observe the hockey stick AND the linkage itselt. Most likely the shift linkage is poorly adjusted/loose and does not travel far enough in that direction to grab those two gears. Alternatively, something is blocking the linkage from full travel - same net effectAsk me how I know!!!bestbt

[IDSRacing]

I did try to remove the end cap but it has some adjsuter/tensioner which i believe stopping it from coming off. I suspect this is some sort of detent adjuster but didnt want to play with it until I understood it.Strangely. I dont see anyone else on the net having that adjuster.You can see it in the center right here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ATXyMxUGunCcWGVR6

[scott fairchild]

I did try to remove the end cap but it has some adjsuter/tensioner which i believe stopping it from coming off. I suspect this is some sort of detent adjuster but didnt want to play with it until I understood it.Strangely. I dont see anyone else on the net having that adjuster.You can see it in the center right here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ATXyMxUGunCcWGVR6

I've put a similar adjuster on my cars. It is to limit the lateral throw to the 3-4 shift rail. However, most are a bit further up. If you add an extra washer to the reverse plunger (underneath), it makes it kinda like a crashbox. This shouldn't limit removing IMO.Scott

[IDSRacing]

Ok, so I played with that adjuster a little and actually was able to select 4th.I also got the end cap off with a little bit of caressing and whispering sweet nothings to it. Once removed, we could select 1st (middle selector forward) and 3rd/4th (top selector forward/backward) and Reverse (bottom selector forward), but not 2nd (middle selector out). I'm deep into unknown territory for me now. Any advice from the experts?

[SteveG]

Ok, so I played with that adjuster a little and actually was able to select 4th.I also got the end cap off with a little bit of caressing and whispering sweet nothings to it. Once removed, we could select 1st (middle selector forward) and 3rd/4th (top selector forward/backward) and Reverse (bottom selector forward), but not 2nd (middle selector out). I'm deep into unknown territory for me now. Any advice from the experts?

Try rotating both axles same time, same direction while working the selectors. You're working a dog type engagement and internals need to line up to make a shift. Steve

[swiftdrivr]

Been years since I went through a gearbox, so take this for what its worth. Problems selecting second is unlikely to be a shift lever cockpit throw room blockage, and if the rear case is off then the detent for reverse is not in the picture, so I'm guessing you mean you are pulling on the shift lever but it won't engage the gear. That would make me think maybe a dog ring or spacer in wrong, I assume you are looking at the selector and when you move the gearshift the linkage is intact and the selector finger is over the appropriate finger and attempting to move it but it won't go? Also, it's possible for an obstruction anywhere in the linkage, typically where the linkage passes through a bulkhead or has a joint in it.Trapped under a six pound dog and just pontificating from memory. Hope it helps

[IDSRacing]

Sorry, I should have said the linkage is now disconnected. I was able to get 2nd finally. So I can get all four gears directly at the transmission.I'm assuming now that I just need to get the reverse detent adjusted correctly and the other 3/4 adjuster. Before I took it apart I couldnt "find" the gate at all which kind of makes sense now that I understand it better.Thanks for all the help.

[Rick Kirchner]

I was thinking a detent ball problem from the jump.

[IDSRacing]

So its all back together. Adjusting the 3/4 throw adjuster allowed me to get 3rd and 4th. At the same time I can get 1st . Rolling the car a bit i can get 2nd. To get 3/4 again I need to roll the car again. I assume that s normal with the engine not running/car not moving.