crunching sound when engaging reverse gear

manda1205

My escort (95) does this and also in 1st and 3rd too. I generally double the clutch, as you've said helps. I've had new clutch too, OH says I need new clutch cable. Although he also thinks that with 133,000 on the clock it could also be the gearbox. I just put up with it cos I intend on running the car into the ground anyway, so no point trying to fix it cos it could get too costly(and Id rather let the cable snap and then change it, but thats cos we're a bit lazy in this house ).
Depends how old your fiesta is? And Id just try the cable first anyway cos they're not very expensive.

ezzkikrios

i've found a solution to the problem. when stationary, clutch and put into first, and without lifting the clutch, put into reverse. it removes the crunching sound. not putting into first returns the crunching sound.
apparently its something to do with the transmission still spinning fast, and if you put it into reverse, the thing can't link up efficiently to start with and crunches. however, if you put it into first, the first gear slows the transmission down, and after that, when reverse is engaged, it can link up smoothly and not crunch.
sorry for the lack of technical knowledge or wrong terms. i'm crap with engines and mechanical jargon.

espresso

Not all gearboxes have synchromesh on reverse gear and your solution is the correct one.

anewman

On mine reverse can be difficult to engage, I push it to the left then engage reverse on the right. I'm pretty certain it's down to worn linkage though, got the bushes and bits, just need time to put it right.