My reverse gear on my 2006 Mini Cooper S with 101,000 miles suddenly does not fully engage.

The gear shifter won't fall into place and it feels like something is binding. Gears 1-6 work perfectly fine. I disconnected the shift linkage on the transmission side and the gear shifter in the cabin has full range of motion but the selector on the transmission side won't fully engage reverse. I can use reverse if I hold the gear in place and ride the clutch very slowly. If I release the clutch at a normal speed, reverse will grind and pop out into neutral.

Any ideas if this is just a selector issue or an internal issue?

Thanks

 

check the shifter cables at the transmission

 

Sounds like the reverse gear synchro is shot.

 

There's a synchro on reverse?

 

I will double check the shift cables at the transmission and replace a few shift linkage parts before committing to more invasive repairs.

As far as I have looked, I do not believe there is a reverse synchro but I may be wrong.

Thanks for the replies and please mention anything else that may help/better diagnose.

 

Yes.
Traditionally manual trannies did not have a synchro on reverse, instead the reverse idler would slide into position to mesh with the other gears.
Synchromeshing reverse has become more and more common over the years and is used on the 6-spd getrag in the R53 (the 5-spd in the R50 does not use a synchro on reverse).

 

Any recommendations on rebuilding with a new outlay shaft assembly and possibly input shaft assembly vs just replacing the gearbox with a used one and swapping over my Quaife LSD?

 

It's very difficult to find internals for these transmissions aside from bearings and seals. Best to find a replacement.

 

Mine had the same issue. Turned out to be a busted clutch fork an throw out bearing was on its way out.

 

Might want to check the motor/trans mounts.