Sorry if this is a silly question but : I have the overdrive unit and the lever popping through my seat box, all works in and out smoothly except when I pull it, when should you exactly engage/dis-engage this, I tried as I was moving and it made a dreadful noise so I only done it once. Any help much appreciated.
What vehicle do you have?......have you checked the search facility, same issues were dealt with in detail recently.
Grippa
New Member
Er, you do depress the clutch before attempting to engage it? I only engage mine once I reach the high end of 4th. Use it like you would changing gear with the normal stick. If you're worried, there is nothing to stop you changing into overdrive at fairly low speed in say, second as a test, but don't use it like that in normal driving. It's basically just a fifth gear.
You soon get into the habit of disengaging it as you change down or are slowing to a stop too.
Keep it filled with oil (you have checked that?) & don't accelerate hard with it engaged & it'll last pretty much forever.
You soon get into the habit of disengaging it as you change down or are slowing to a stop too.
Keep it filled with oil (you have checked that?) & don't accelerate hard with it engaged & it'll last pretty much forever.
The OVERDRIVE unit is a simple TWO SPEED SYNCHROMESH GEARBOX.
Treat it gently, and ALWAYS use the clutch when chaging from "direct" to "overdrive".
NEVER be tempted to use the OD in low gears, so the golden rule would be to use it when in 4th gear only, maybe third if you really REALLY felt like it.
Using first and second gear applies too much torque, which the OD unit might not handle.
CharlesY
Treat it gently, and ALWAYS use the clutch when chaging from "direct" to "overdrive".
NEVER be tempted to use the OD in low gears, so the golden rule would be to use it when in 4th gear only, maybe third if you really REALLY felt like it.
Using first and second gear applies too much torque, which the OD unit might not handle.
CharlesY
Seems some of the guys are familiar with this type of overdrive unit in a series vehicle, but I am curious about the 'popping through seat box'.......what make of overdrive is it?
I'll get under and have a look on the oil levels and take a picture. Its comes through the seatbox a few inches away from ym left foot, sure it's standard place and I've realised i'm an idiot and don't seem to remember pressing the clutch ! Idiot of the day award must go to me for that one !!
Davec
New Member
If it comes through the seatbox it is probably a Bearmach, the more common Fairey usually has the lever on the side of the transmission tunnel.
Incidentally I've had mine for nearly 20 years, admittedly not many miles, second hand, and I've used it in all gears. It's main use was trialling in 1st low o/d (the change to straight 1st for steep descents is more reliable than 2nd-1st in a Ser III box) with no problems. It is getting a bit noisy, but that mainly dates from running it low on oil about 10 years ago.
Incidentally I've had mine for nearly 20 years, admittedly not many miles, second hand, and I've used it in all gears. It's main use was trialling in 1st low o/d (the change to straight 1st for steep descents is more reliable than 2nd-1st in a Ser III box) with no problems. It is getting a bit noisy, but that mainly dates from running it low on oil about 10 years ago.
Thanks for the clarification, have the Fairey on two of mine and was confused about the through seatbox configuration.
The OD unit is a simple two speed synchromesh gearbox.
If you know how to double-de-clutch like we did in the olden days with "crash" gearboxes that didn't have synchromesh (we knew how to drive in them days ....) or if you learn how to do it, no problem.
Otherwise it's easy enough to dismantle, and there must be someone can supply the bits required.
It's easy to get the instruction manuals via Google
search for "Fairey overdrive manual"
CharlesY
If you know how to double-de-clutch like we did in the olden days with "crash" gearboxes that didn't have synchromesh (we knew how to drive in them days ....) or if you learn how to do it, no problem.
Otherwise it's easy enough to dismantle, and there must be someone can supply the bits required.
It's easy to get the instruction manuals via Google
search for "Fairey overdrive manual"
CharlesY
