So over the last couple days I’ve had an issue with reversing, the car goes into gear but once going backwards, the car like locks the axel and it’s horrid not sure what the issue could be. No issues going forwards.

Only thing I did to try prevent things getting worse was topup the gearbox oil. Will drain and replace oil once I’ve replaced 0/S drive shaft seal as i saw that was slightly leaking.

 

Try raising the car, and spinning wheels - right side first - maybe it is a problem in the cv joint. Rule that out first.

 

What would I expect to find if the CV was the issue?

 

If there is binding when moving the wheel in the reverse direction. If you have the car safely supported, and handbrake on, you should be able to turn wheels freely when in neutral. if you feel resistance going backwards, it is external to the transmission - he's in neutral. also, it will give you a chance to see if there is any other excess play.

 

would me saying there’s a clutch burning type smell when it happens help with the diagnosis? I’ll get the car up when I’m off shift in a couple days and see what I find.

 

A clutch burning might be your application of the clutch, and trying to keep it from stalling. does it act the same independent of the wheels being straight ahead or turned?

 

It has definitely happened when reversing straight and with the wheels turned. The more ideas you have that I can check I can do it all at the same time and get back with my findings. No ideas are stupid. Appreciate your help if I can avoid having to do anything gearbox removal wise I’d be happy!

 

I'd say get it up in the air securely and do visual inspection. turn wheels by hand

any trouble shifting through gears while on the ground, engine running?

 

There was before I did a gear box top up, it didn’t take more than a 1/4 Litre so it wasn’t ridiculously low but that top up made changing gears a lot easier. I am going to do a drain/refill after doing the drive shaft seals in a couple days. Just no experience doing these jobs or fault finding so everything is a first for me lol. But I’m an aircraft technician so it’s just a different application same handskills.

 

Maybe worth a read

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...r-problem.html

 

How many miles on the car? Based on your description of the symptom, I'm going out on a limb and predict that it's a bad CV joint, not gearbox.

 

Chassis mileage is 130k miles however engine is about 65k

Gearbox history unknown, ordered bed drive shafts & CV joint and will just replace em as they aren’t in the best condition when I’ve replaced everything I’ve touched with new.

Will update the post at some point in the coming week when I’ve fitted them.

 

Sorry had a busy weekend and forgot to update, last Friday I did both drive shafts and seals and noise went when I did a quick test drive and reverse. Hopefully To never return lol. Thank you all the the help!