I did a search, and come up with nothing. My daughters 93 Accord with 200k miles is getting real hard to get onto reverse. It has the 5 speed. Any ideas?

 

depending on how long it's been since you've changed the tranny fluid that could help a little bit, it may also be that the tranny is worn a little bit and making it more difficult... On cars that I have owned with that issue typically you can just slowly (very slowly) start releasing the clutch as you are pulling down into reverse and then it should slip right in, re-apply the clutch quickly (so it doesn't jerk or anything) and then drive like normall.... like I said though if you haven't changed that fluid in a while then drain it and re-fill with honda MTF...

 

sir nasty, thanks for the quick reply. I just showed my daughter the trick with the clutch, and it worked. I think I will also change the fluid.

thanks again, Tim

 

chances are then that it's something either wearing or being a little stiff internally.... I've had a number of cars that almost always required me to do that and they lasted just fine until I sold them...

 

Can we assume it's not simply excessive friction in the shift cables??

If it grinds going into reverse, maybe the clutch is dragging. Reverse doesn't have a synchro.

 

Jim, there is not any grinding when you put it in reverse, or any gear.

 

Well, what about misalignment of the shifter, cables, or the levers down on the tranny where the shift cables attach? You should rule out the easier stuff like that.