1G Why is it so hard to put into reverse?

[Generation1JeY]

Its really been bothering me lately how hard it is to put the car into reverse. I have to put it in neutral, and just jam the shifter really hard to the right, then go diagonaly down/right to get it in, and most of the time i have to keep doing it over and over cause i'll put it into 4th instead of reverse.

Not just that but when i dont push the shifter over to the right far enough and push down it like doesnt really "slide" into gear like it should, it goes down, but its hard to push it in and its defanitely not the reverse gear cause i've tried going when it was like this and the tranny just makes weird noises so i dont do that anymore.

Is there anything i can do to fix this? is it something to do with the shifter or what?

 

[paranoidTSi]

What I do is lift up on the clutch slightly and slide it into reverse, others have recommended puting it into 2nd gear, then putting it into reverse.

 

[ben90tsi]

yeah you should never jam it in, if it wont go, do like he said and let the clutch out slowly while you try and put it in reverse, or i also shift from 1-2-3-2-1 and then to reverse and it pops right in.

 

[TransDSM]

I believe it is because reverse is not syncroed. I always put it in first to syncro it then put it into reverse. It always goes into reverse for me if I shift into 1st gear before.

 

[Generation1JeY]

alright i'll get back to u on those tactics.

 

[Aikouka]

My reverse goes in every time with minimal effort, and I never have to shift into other gears beforehand. First, you need to get used to the strength. I always complained to my dad about how much of a pain it was, and he told me to "suck it up, that's how it is". But, I just went in and adjusted the shift cables and now it's a lot better to shift.

 

[Thomas91169]

i used to have trouble but not anymore. i find reverse as best i can, then let up on the clutch a little still pulling the shifter back and when i pull the clutch pedal a good 1/4" from the floor it slides right in to reverse. or i just kinda hit that point where it doesnt want to go any farther and rev it with the clutch still in and itll go in. or just slam it.

but i have a mans shifter. i got the ebay short throw obx, and i dont use any of the left and right springs because i hate it when it springs back to neutral position by itself. so i just go all the way to the right, then pull down till it gets in. i love the setup, cause at stops i leave it between 1st and 2nd and i can take the clutch out and its still in Neutral, but just engage the clutch and move it upp a good 2 inches and its already in 1st. just easier. the 2-3 shift is an actual THROW now, you have to really want to get into 3rd to get it. my cousin with his GS cant find my 3rd for the life of him, and when i drive his car i cant stand the feel of it being so close. my setup makes it a lot harder to miss 3rd cause you have to basically go at a 45* throw to hit 3rd from 2nd. took a little to get used to but its hella fun.