FWD Reverse idle gear HELP

[cbellsondsm]

hi,
i seem to have a problem, i was trying to get my FWD trans back together because i was inspecting the syncros and putting an lsd in it and have seem to run into confusion with the reverse idler gear well ill try to describe it the best i can..

the gear on the reverse lever is heavy obviously, well when i put it all back together, it seems to say in the down position, even when i move teh shift rail down, it doesnt lift the gear up, in esscence it seems like the idler gear would just flop around if there wasnt a pin or somthing connecting it to the rail, i want it done right and everything fits perfect, i just want to make absolutely sure its the way to do it, i checked on my tech manual on the DSM cd adn the picture isnt clear, it just says orient the shaft like this any help would be greatly appreciated thanks a lot,
chris

 

[Defiant]

Did you already have this link?

http://vfaq.com/mods/Trannyrebuild.html

 

[cbellsondsm]

ya, still got nothing, it jsut seems like the ildler gear just wants to flop around because theres no tension to pull it out of gear

 

[pneumo]

I'm not really clear on what's the problem. It seems like you saying the arm that moves the reverse idler gear around is loose, then it sounds like the reverse gear itself is loose. Or is it both?

The answer to both issues is on the middle tranny case (not the bellhousing, and not the endcover). There is a bolt that holds the restrictor ball against the reverse lever arm. It's located on the top of the case and looks like a large, flat bolt from the outside. Once that is in place it will keep the arm from moving.

There is a shaft that goes through the reverse gear and holds it steady. The shaft is bolted to the mid case. When you install the case you need to guide the shaft through the reverse gear.

HTH