Gather ‘round, kiddies, and I’ll tell you the story of something that happened a couple of years ago….

What would you say is the cause of a transmission that got so it didn’t want to back up? The band was there alright as evidenced by the engine loading down when reverse was stood upon, but it made me wonder if I was somehow engaging both the low and reverse bands at the same time. The car would just barely back up on a level, smooth surface. A few miles later, low started having the same problem, like the engine was working harder than it should just to get rolling. Everything was fine once in high – no odd noises or feel. What was going on?

The teardown revealed what the pictures show. Because that shaft had broken in a spiral, the angle made it get longer and jammed the transmission when the gears were loaded.

Anybody else ever have this happen?

Before anyone says it, this was the first time I’d been into the transmission in the four years I’d owned the car. It gets driven a lot, including three Texas T Parties, but not abused. I’m one of the members of the slow pack, starting off gentle and keeping to around 30 when on tour, treating the old heap as I’d like to be treated if I make it past 80 years. Of course, that crack had to have been growing for a long time. I was just the lucky one that found it via the above-related puzzlement.

John,
I think the cobwebs might have caused it!
Bob

It wouldn't make much noise in high gear because the whole drum pack and gears are turning as one unit. That's the brake drum and the cracks started at the key way corners. That indicates high stress on the driven gear or the woodruff key was worn or mis-sized (loose). Possibly a wallowed out key way on the driven gear.

So, what did you find out was the cause?