Will not go into reverse (automatic)

[Pagodatastic]

Fellow Pagodaites,
Some advice required please.
My SL280 1969 US Model will not go into reverse.  Forward gears all fine but stays in neutral when I put the gear shift into the reverse position and does not engage.
I fear this problem is beyond my limited mechanical skills but any advice very welcome.
Thank you
Best
Steve

[BobH]

Hello, hopefully it's just the nylon bushes, perhaps there's an epidemic of bush failures in the UK at the moment, as Brennie also has a problem, see here

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=38415.0

I think it's easy enough to check, and not that difficult to replace the bushes if they are the problem

If it's not the bushes, there's the same problem on these posts, reverse band adjustment

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=26649.msg190658#msg190658

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=25886.msg185386#msg185386

[ja17]

There is a reverse band adjustment on the right side of the automatic transmission, near the pan and close to the bell housing. It comes loose sometimes and causes exactly the problem you describe. Identify it as a 10mm (wrench size) hex head with a 22mm lock nut around it. To adjust it. loosen the lock nut and turn the 10mm hex head in until it becomes just snug, then back it off one and three quarter  (1 3/4) turns. Then tighten the 22mm lock nut. There is a nice picture of mine on this site somewhere which shows the adjustment. i'll try to find it and will post it. Make sure your fluid level is good before you begin. Check while running on flat ground with engine warm. It is one pint between the marks on the dip stick.

[Pagodatastic]

Thank you so much.

[Pagodatastic]

👍🙏

[merrill]

i had the same issue on my 78 300d. 

would not reverse,  adjusted the reverse bank and all is well

also check your trans fluid

another point is if the car has been sitting you need to allow time for the fluid to circulate and build up

[Pagodatastic]

Thank you