BW35 no forward drive

T

tzchris

New Member
I have bought a car with a BW 35 box and no forward gears (am I mad ??), the story is that the box was professionally rebuilt circa 4000 miles / 8 years ago (at a cost of around £1200) - and it was working fine - however, after a period of standing the previous owner tried to move it only to find it no longer went forwards (reverse seems to be fine). It has many other faults for me to work on but I need to get it driving first so any advice please on where to start? I'm sort of reconciled to the fact the box may need to come out... but does it?
Help and ideas gratefully received :)
Chris
 
Loss of all forward drive is normally front clutch failure, but have you tried pulling away from a standstill in either "2" or "D2"? If it will pull away in those but not in "D" or "D1"then it's a broken one way clutch. If it is either of those two faults the box has to come out to fix it.
 
Gosh, that was quick - thank you... I don't get the car delivered until Saturday so then the fun begins (that's my weekend sorted!!) - I was hoping there may be something that sticks for example that I might be able to do something with (optimism, my eternal enemy). I am told though by the previous owner that there is no forward drive at all in any gears, if the box was properly refurbished I would assume the clutches to have been renewed 4000 miles ago - could it be something that operates the clutch, anything that can be done from the underside of the box...? The only thing he has checked is the fluid level.
Thanks again
Chris
 
I can't think of anything that can be done if the front clutch has failed without removing the box, but if you want to remove the sump to check for debris and see if there is anything displaced or broken then that won't be difficult.
 
Thank you again, I'll check the fluid level then and assuming that's OK drop the fluid and take the bottom off to see what I can see.
Could the front clutch be 'stuck' in some way or should I be out today looking for new parts in readiness?
Chris
 
tzchris said:
Thank you again, I'll check the fluid level then and assuming that's OK drop the fluid and take the bottom off to see what I can see.
Could the front clutch be 'stuck' in some way or should I be out today looking for new parts in readiness?
Chris
Click to expand...
do you know to have the engine running prior to checking the g/box oil
 
Yes, thanks... and assume previous owner did too but will check anyway... if it was refurbished though and working, no signs of leaks then I guess it's unlikely to be a fluid issue anyway? ...plus I'm just not that lucky :)
 
Drained the fluid, was slightly brown and smelled of burnt cluthes... box is now out - what a job !! I'm getting too old for changing gearboxes.
Thinking of getting the proffesionals to do the work, am paranoid about missing something and going through the removal process all over - couldn't face that again I don't think.
 
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