Protection against reverse when driving forward?

[merrylees]

Hi, been out in my 60 plate HDi 90 this aft and you can definately put the gear shift from 5th through the gate into reverse while travelling forward!
As for what happens when you let the clutch back in I for one am not willing to find out!!!!

Regards

Merrylees

[nepr1971]

I've now been testing another HDi-90 and it is very easy to shift to reverse when driving at high speed.
Does anyone know what happens if I release the clutch? Does the gearbox break?

[DaveB]

I think the problem here may be one of technique. Don't grasp the knob (ooh, missus!) & try to force the lever into position, just pull it backwards with the palm of your hand & the spring-loading will move it over into the 3rd/4th gear plane.

[Bigfeet]

I'm still having a hard time believing that you can just 'pop' the gearstick into reverse, at speed, like you were selecting another gear. In my experience there is resistance to prevent this from happening and that you have to 'really' want to break your gearbox.