[lumpyd]

I have an 81 cj7 with a 4 speed tranny. As I was driving, I noticed that the gears seem to be grinding a little bit. I figured I would try to check transmission fluid to see if it was okay. Brain surgeon that I am, was on the wrong side of the transmission. What I thought was the filler plug, was actually the reverse shifting arm pivot bolt. Now it won't go in reverse.

In order to fix this, do I have to take out the entire transmission? I've never been inside a transmission before, and don't want to mess anything up. But if it's an easy fix, I'd like to give it a try. Any suggestions?

Oh, and after all that, it didn't need transmission fluid at all. The level was fine

[mmerlinn]

If you are an idiot, which I do not believe, then you have LOTS of company. When those transmissions were common (Ford used lots of them), the "Jiffy Lubes" of the world were always removing the reverse pivot bolt instead of the fill plug, then would need to pull the transmission and pay a transmission shop to fix their incompetence.

As long as you did not damage anything, it is an easy fix. There is an outside chance that you may have damaged the case, but highly unlikely. Biggest problem may be finding a good clip to hold the lever in place.

[lumpyd]

Well, I guess it's good to know that I'm not alone. Well, aside from this issue, I am in intermediate when it comes to working on vehicles. Is this something I should be able to go in and fix myself? Or am I better off leaving it to a pro?