Reverse gear hit and miss?
 

Hi guys,

Cars running sweet as ever, just wondering, as this is my first volvo, i'm not sure if this is right, but when i come to put it in reverse, sometimes it will go into gear the first time around, then sometimes it wont so i try again...and again..and again 4 or even 5 times, i've even tried an old trick that used to work on my previous vauxhall corsa, is to put the car into 1st, still holding down the clutch, lift the reverse lockout ring, and in one motion pull out of first and straight over to reverse.. this works though now and then this trouble of it not engaging reverse does still happen.....

Do the gear linkages need oiling/greasing? Also the clutch seems to be very snatchy and it needs a good rev before taking off at any stop, otherwise it feel like it wants to stall....then again, my corsa was a diesel

How much side-to-side play does the stick have in 1st and 2nd? It should be 5-20mm. You could try adjusting the reverse detent bracket underneath the boot. Does first gear select OK?

First gear always selects, i never have a problem with any of the gears other than reverse, there is actually very little play if not any that you describe, i'm guessing its something to do with the floor mat getting in the way of the clutch pedal at times..

Thank you for the reply!

There should be some play in 1st gear. If you go into 1st gear and lift up the boot/gaitor at the bottom of the gear stick you can use a feeler gauge or drill shank to measure the clearance between the detent bracket and the sleeve. Spec value is 1.0 +/-0.5mm. Adjust the bracket if necessary.

there is some play but i will look into it, thank you for this information!