Reverse isn't cooperating, please help!

So I keep finding more and more wrong with my newly acquired 348ts, and I'm sure I'm not done. Had a pretty embarrassing moment today when I went to reverse up a small grade hill and park, but when I put it into reverse (all the way) and started to let the clutch out, it would throw itself out of reverse with a loud grinding sound. I crept forward a bit and did it again with the same result! So instead I pulled forward off the hill to flat ground and put it I. Reverse again. I held the shifter hard in reverse so it wouldn't force out and slowly let off the clutch while praying. It backed up (cautiously) so I could complete the three point turn to park, but decided not to try reverse again... So far I know I have leaked some fluid out the clutch inspection area which I have narrowed down to most likely being DOT4 mixing with a possible flywheel grease leak (crappy combination). With the throw out bearing most likely compromised (leaking), and the flywheel leak combination, should I assume that is the extent of my worries? Or should I suspect the worst and be saving up for new synchros or gearbox innards? I want to do all work myself as I already know how to tackle the flywheel and clutch, but I've never opened a gearbox and wouldn't know what I'm looking at once inside. If I will have to rebuild it, are there any rebuild threads with step by steps? I saw one with tear down to the shaft, but nothing more and no buildup steps, but that's the part id need help with.

Long story short, what is causing the shifter to pop into neutral, and should I be concerned with the loud grinding noise when it pops out of reverse?

 

Of the many problems discussed on this site, major transmission issues are rare. I would go ahead and fix the obvious things first. While the pumpkin is off be sure to open the little acess port to check the nut on the transmission shaft. I would also pull the shift cables and lube them up, change the trans oil to the Red line everyone recommends, and then see what you've got. If there are still problems, I would try adjusting the shift cables before opening up the transmission. Good luck.

 

Your shift into reverse perhaps does not move the gear fully in due to out-of-adjustment linkages. You can try shifting into reverse with the gear stick gate removed and see what happens.

 

Usually this problem is caused by shifting cables not correctly secured to bracket off engine block.
Welcome to fchat. If you fill out your profile, there may be a local stooge who can help.

 

Search threads from Larry Bell (ibell101) on this forum. Larry rebuilt his 348ts tranny and posted the entire process here. He was a member of the FCA here in AZ but now lives in CO.

Good luck.

 

Sorry, that's lbell101 not ibell101.

 

Thanks guys. I'm waiting for the seals to come in for the release bearing, and will be inspecting my flywheel while it's off. I will check my cables as well as that should be an easy enough fix. Thanks for your help. I will also update my profile, I'm on Oahu, Hawaii so not many 348 owners on island...