LR
All faults
Gearbox & transferMedium severity

Series gearbox jumping out of gear

Will get worse if left.

Symptoms

Gear lever pops back into neutral on the overrun, typically in second or third, or when lifting off over bumps.

Likely cause

Weak or broken detent springs, worn selector shaft notches, worn gears or synchro hubs, or failed engine and gearbox mounts.

Suggested fixes

Listed roughly in the order most owners try them.

  1. 1

    Replace detent springs

    Fresh detent springs and balls often cure mild cases. Access is via the gearbox top cover.

    Difficulty:
    Moderate DIY
    Cost:
    £ (Under about £50 in parts)
  2. 2

    Renew engine and gearbox mounts

    Collapsed mounts let the gearbox move and pull the lever out of gear. Cheap and worth doing first.

    Difficulty:
    Moderate DIY
    Cost:
    £ (Under about £50 in parts)
  3. 3

    Rebuild the gearbox

    If gears and synchro hubs have worn tapers, the box needs a full rebuild or an exchange unit.

    Difficulty:
    Specialist job
    Cost:
    £££ (Over about £300)

This is general guidance gathered from owner experience and workshop practice, not a substitute for a workshop manual or a qualified mechanic. Costs are rough parts-only guides. Brakes, steering and suspension work affects safety, so if in doubt have it checked professionally.

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