Getrag 260 detent springs

[tomzzy]

Tranny fluid was leaking out the cap that covers the detent springs top left rear of transmission. So, when I took off the cap there were three springs in three separate recessed holes. The cap was holding them down against 3 little balls. Upon exam, 1 spring is much shorter than the other 2 ! Is this correct? If so, I don't know which of the three holes it goes back in since I just grabbed them all out at once. I'm thinking this can't be right. The holes appear same size and depth. Seems to me maybe the short one contributed to the leak because it would not compress against the ball letting oil up through. Make sense?
Realoem.com lists 2 different sized springs diameter-wise, but says nothing about length. Should I just order new ones to avoid the hassle, and if so, should they be the 1.0mm diameter or 1.5mm?
Anyone know about this?

[blazing]

I just looked in my Bentley repair manual and the pic shows looking from the back of the transmission from left to right they go tall tall short.
I would try to find another source to verify that but it is a very clear pic.
I would order a new cover I have been told the new ones have a gasket on them and are not prone to leakage.

[peerless]

You should have left those springs alone. You are supposed to have 2 longs and one short. Just pull the cap and replace, too late now.

The bigger problem being the 3 detent balls underneath the springs. I am assuming you have the trans out of the car and can access the 3 balls to put them back in place. When you pull the springs the detent balls can roll out of place. Not good. If the balls roll out of place and you just install the springs without the detent balls, you will forever have a sloppy shifter.

If the trans is still in the car, you may find yourself pulling it out. If you owned a Bentely manual you would not be facing this situation.

The balls and springs are what 'springs'/returns the shifter back to neutral from each gear gate. The first long spring is for 1 and 2, the second long springs is for 3-4 and the short spring is for reverse and 5th.

I know this becuase I made the same mistake, luckily I only lost the one ball for R and 5th. And yes it no longer springs back to neutral, well it does but it is very weak.

Suckage to say the least.

[tomzzy]

Good news! I still got my balls. :)
Thanks for the response guys. You got me straightened out. I do have Bentley & I'm usually religious about it, but I just disassembled this without looking, Duh. The old cap appears warped & the new one is on the way. Now I know how to put it back together. A close re-look at realoem.com shows they list 2 of the long & one of the short springs. BTW, I do not have the tranny out. I cut a hole in the tunnel to get down to it. I'll just fashion a plate to re-cover. Don't care about aesthetics. It's a race car.
thanx again,
Tom