Fiesta Reverse

sounds like a clutch fault, it must still be under guarantee

Thanks for the reply, Yes its still under guarantee we brought it two weeks ago from Dovercourt Ford and it came with full warranty, Just curious thats all.

Thanks Dave

Very old problem with Ford Fiesta's Gearbox as they don't have any synchromesh on reverse.

We took ours back many times only to be told the same thing by the dealers.

Best way round it, is to put it in first & lift the clutch then try reverse again.

how old is the fiesta the older models used to have a cup at the bottom of the gearstick under the car which acted as a gate. reverse was always difficult to engage as it was the first to wear out as muck from the road acted as Grinding paste to the end of the gearstick. Changed the cup and gearstick and all was well again.

it didn't cost too much but it was a while ago.

cheers Jon_H

AFAIK no car has synchromesh on reverse, but as the car should be stationary when engaging reverse this shouldn't be a problem.

If it's grinding when trying to engage reverse it's because the clutch hasn't totally dis-engaged, so the gearbox's input shaft is still spinning, hence the grind. Synchromesh on the forward gears will mask the problem, however you're likely to find the car will creap forward when in first with the clutch down because of this.

Go get the clutch looked at. It may just need adjusting.

Alan.

Quite a few do - even some Fords :-)

Chris

No, they don't. There is no need and it is not fitted.

mrcheerful

Oh yes they do!

There's "no need" to have synchromesh on any gears, but they do.

All examples of the Focus that use the MTX75 'box have synchro reverse -

Chris

The message from "mrcheerful ." contains these words:

Micras had synchro on reverse, at least the did at one point. Apparently Ford's MT75 box has it on reverse, too.

...and a pal has just reminded me that certain Escorts have sychro reverse as well...

:-)

Chris

Honda used to advertise the fact they did.

How odd, the only purpose of a synchromesh is to bring the speeds of the shafts to equal each other. When engaging reverse the shafts are all stationary (or should be), so it won't have anything to do, as synchros are an expensive bit I don't see them putting an extra one in with no real purpose

Perhaps fords mean they have an interlock thing on the gearlever which prevents reverse selection unless you lift the collar on the lever?

Mrcheerful

The message from "mrcheerful ." contains these words:

Depends on the driver. If you're willing to wait while all the gears stop spinning then fine. Many drivers can't wait that extra second or two and will smack the box into reverse with a nasty crunch. For such unnecessary people was the unnecessary synchro invented.

Lots of bits of modern cars are there to make up for the failings of the driver.

And no, the MT75 really does have synchro on reverse. I've had a look at the exploded diagram.

Nope it's a syncro. It's probably almost as cheap as having to manufacture a seperate dog clutch though, 1 less bit in the inventory etc.

I can see why it might be useful though. On my Mini, I pull into my drive then reverse onto the yard. If I don't wait several seconds after stopping before putting it in reverse, it crunches. Synchro would help avoid that.

Well, I live and learn every day !!

Mrcheerful