shifting into reverse - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

indybeer · 11-10-2010, 07:20 AM

I have a 89 Camry 3SFE with a 5 Speed manual transmission. after replacing the clutch and axle shafts, I am having a problem getting it to go into reverse gear. I have to play with the shift knob to get it to engage reverse. Most times it only goes into 4th.

Is the problem at the shift linkage at the shift lever or out at the transmission? Anyone got a pic or schematic of the shift linkage and how it operates?

white90dx · 11-10-2010, 02:07 PM

How about 5th?

First you need to figure out whether it is a linkage issue (either left-right or up-down) or a clutch issue.

It is easy to check the linkage for damage where it attaches at the top of the transmission. Just look and feel for worn/frayed/damaged cables where they go in and out of the sleeves on the top of the transmission. Hopefully there is no internal damage with the trans.

If shifting also feels harder/rougher in other gears (maybe more griding, etc.) then it might be a clutch issue.

Did you have a shop do the work, or did you do it yourself?

-Charlie

indybeer · 11-10-2010, 02:34 PM

1-5 are OK. It is not hard shifting into reverse...no grinding...binding or anything. More like it wasn't even there.

If I mess with the shifter enough it will engage with no noticible noise....that is why I think it is a linkage adjustment issue

I've been looking for a schematic on how the whole linkage is set up and how reverse is operated.

white90dx · 11-10-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indybeer

1-5 are OK. It is not hard shifting into reverse...no grinding...binding or anything. More like it wasn't even there.

If I mess with the shifter enough it will engage with no noticible noise....that is why I think it is a linkage adjustment issue

I've been looking for a schematic on how the whole linkage is set up and how reverse is operated.

Not sure what you are trying to figure out - the shifter itself, the cables, or the parts inside the trans... ?

-Charlie

indybeer · 11-11-2010, 03:09 PM

I am quite sure my problem is in the linkage between the shifter and the tranny.

I am looking for pics...diagrams....schematics of the linkage from the shift lever to the transmission.

I had a link from here to a camry manual but it is no longer working.

white90dx · 11-11-2010, 03:49 PM

There's not much to show for the shift cables.

You can see the parts inside the car by unscrewing the shift knob and poping the shift boot off to check operation at the lever...

You can check operation at the trans end by having a helper move the gear shift around while looking at the shift levers at the top/back of the transmission. Make sure to feel around/through the rubber boots to make sure there are no frayed cables.

-Charlie