Stuck in Reverse Field Repair, What tool to use?
 

Hello everybody. I've got a 91 non-turbo that is currently stuck in reverse. The vehicle is experiencing all of the symptoms as described @ http://www.miata.net/garage/stuckreverse.html I also found the video below showing what to do. I have the vehicle in the air and the reverse switch out. Unfortunately there is no way to get a stubby screwdriver in between the trans and the trans tunnel. The only tool I can access the detent with is a tiny allen key which I cannot get enough leverage with. I can feel that it is indeed stuck in reverse with the shifter in neutral. The video shows that it takes quite a bit to move the trans out of reverse.

Have any of you had to do this repair and if so what tool did you use?

Thanks!

You might be able to do that if you can drop the transmission down a bit by removing the 4 14mm bolts that hold the transmission up. That will work, but it's going to take a bit of finagling to get it unstuck.

I've already got the trans cross member out, the only thing I can think of doing to drop it more is to start dropping the entire trans out which I am really trying to avoid for obvious reasons...

5lb sledge?

works for me on n/a trannies.

Loosen the 2 engine mount nuts, allow the whole thing to drop down some more. Be careful not to stretch hoses or wires too much. If that doesn't work, tow it somewhere, remove the transmission, and use the Karack method. N/A transmissions are garbage, but what can you do?

The only way to get a stronger one is to install not only the TII transmission, but you have to change over everything from the flywheel, clutch, pp, slave cylinder, starter, and a TII to N/A driveshaft if you don't want to spend money on the TII differential and halfshafts.

well, i've never actually stuck an n/a tranny but if i did i would just kick the shit out of it until it submitted or broke. :)

That's what I meant by the "Karack method".

Weren't you the one who took an NA trans to the scrapyard and got turned down because it had aluminum and steel components, then subsequently returned with a big bucket of aluminum chunks and a still completely assembled NA gear set?