Confused with gear selector

[markhale10]

Hi,
I have spent a fair bit of time reading the Wiki, especially the "Renovating 5 speed change mechanism Parts 1 & 2".
I had everthing printed an ready to check what parts I need to order to improve gear selection.

However....

On lowering the spare tyre my gear selector looks nothing like the standard 5-speed selector and everything seems to point to a 4-speed selector and housing (read Bentley Guide too).





I have a 1987 1.9l petrol 5-speed (definitely 5-speed) Autosleeper high top. I have been really struggling to get 1st gear or reverse and the gears in between seem to be quite random/loose but select okay.

On stripping down one of the plastic/nylon fork ends was very worn. I cleaned and greased the whole area and tried to striaighten up the worn end. On taking it for a drive 1st and reverse now select easily but middle gears are still sloppy. I guess I need to check the rear end.

I am still puzzled about this apparent 4-speed fork setup which all looks original and wondered if anyone else has seen this before??

Additionally, the rear end looks very oily but no oil is on the driveway. This looks to me like the gear box oil rather than engine oil. Where is this likely to be coming from?




Thanks for any help you can offer.

Mark

[Plasticman]

well the rear bit it deff 5sp and your box is 5sp but the selector box and stick is def 4 sp,
mm

[ermie571]

First off,

it is possible to drive a 5 speed box with a four speed gear stick, as long as you know where the gears are. I know, I did it for a while....I had to replace my gearbox...the replacement was faulty...and the replacement replacements was a five speed when we got it home! had to try it...garage put it in, and I was able to engage all gears and reverse. Did however change the housing underneath and the gear stick shortly afterwards. But it did drive in all five forward and one reverse gear. However, as you have found, you will be missing guides etc underneath.

Regards

Em
xx

[AdrianC]

Does your van have the original build-spec sticker under the dash? If so, check whether it left the factory with a 4-spd, and has been upgraded later.

[markhale10]

Hi Em,
Yes, the van definitely drives with all gears and has done since I got the van 1 year ago. I had just hoped to improve shifting.

Adrian,
I do still have the original sticker but no mention of 4 or 5 speed.
I have...
Ident No. 4450 24-4-0244 210 EN
Type. 252 061
Engine Code. DG. ABD
Paint. L90D
Options. A66 025 053 067 194

Thanks for confirmation of what I have. At least I'm not going mad

[Plasticman]

abd is a 4speed
mm

[markhale10]

So looks like it left the factory as a 4-speed and somewhere along the way a 5-speed box was fitted.

I was sure most if the van was original too. It drives lovely, just wish I could improve the gears.

I guess the only 'proper' fix will be a 5-speed gear stick, front selector box and front half of shaft??
This sounds an expensive fix just to improve gear selection, anyone have ideas??

[Plasticman]

yip second hand,
i may just have the bits you need
mm

[markhale10]

Ooh, sounds like a solution.
What kind of cost would I be looking at, assuming you do have what I need?
You can PM me if you prefer.

[donciuz]

This sounds an expensive fix just to improve gear selection, anyone have ideas??

Tel me about it Just spent over £400 just on parts for the gear linkage. Changed everything that can be changed. This includes a new gear lever to replace the snapped (for the third time) one that was beyond repair. What a result! I can engage all gears with my finger tip on the gear knob.

The oil on the end may be a faulty seal on the gearbox. Can be purchased for a few £

p.s. Bought all parts from Germany
p.p.s A second hand 5 speed gear lever on german ebay costs more than new one. Mine is a LHD, no one offered one here so had to buy new.

[Plasticman]

easy to make a left stick right and vice versam my rhd has a lhd stick fitted
mm

[markhale10]

This sounds an expensive fix just to improve gear selection, anyone have ideas??

The oil on the end may be a faulty seal on the gearbox. Can be purchased for a few £

[markhale10]

Thanks for info. I will check out the seal when I (hopefully) replace the 4-speed front end to 5-speed.

[sciroccotune]

My van has a 4 speed and the selector rod looks like that, just VW using any old part I recon.

I'm trying to sort out my sloppy change also, something around the gear stick isn't correct as I have excess movement. Too cold to have a look at the moment had to give in and come in for a cup of tea!

[Plasticman]

My van has a 4 speed and the selector rod looks like that, just VW using any old part I recon.

What
mm