Gear Linkage bush

[thatsrustytoo]

Dear Angels,

I have dropped the fuel tank, and decided to renew the clutch pipes, throttle cable, coolant pipes, heater pipes etc. While wriggling around I noticed that the gear change rod goes through two gear linkage bushes. At both of these, the rod has lateral movement. This seems strange as one would have thought that in order to keep out the dross etc, the fit would be quite tight and smooth. I took the rear one off, and noticed that there was no grease inside the bush. So, do these nylon bushes require greasing? Should they be tight against the rod? If i replaced them would they be a tighter fit?

thanks Angels,

Thatsrustytoo

G543 DKA 1.6td hightop. Orange with cream top.

Have just replaced the trailing arm bushes, wheel bearings, cv joints, rear brakes, handbrake cables, slave and master cylinders. Now treating underneath for rust ( not much) and replacing all the bits which are above the fuel tank ( I don't want to do that again).

[skint-van-man]

hi and good luck with all that work!
Yes the bushes should be tight, you can get kits for renewing the linkage.
Good job, ul have a reliable little van after all that!

[CovKid]

If you or a previous owner hasn't renewed the nylon bushes that make up the gear change mechanism, its likely to be worn all the way along, resulting in a lot of play. I assembled all the bits needed to renovate mine last month and was only halted by this terrible weather. Some parts I simply refused to buy as I felt they were overpriced and found equally good replacements using materials from other things I found on my travels. Well worth sorting any worn parts along the length. Makes gear changes far more precise. I can already change gear with one finger and that was just through changing the onion joint at the front - the rest I've yet to do.

The WIKI covers replacement procedure - under 'Manual Gearbox Specific' heading.

[thatsrustytoo]

Thanks Angels,

After a further period in the Deep freeze tomorrow, I shall probably be ordering MORE parts!

However, I have a question for you;

I have looked at the JK picture of the gear shaft expanded diagram, and I can recognise all the parts apart from JK part no J10900 / OEM 251-711-207/E. This is called a Gear Selector Bush. It appears to have a spiral grooved interior. Where does it fit? I can see my 2nd Gear Linkage Bush, but that is a different shape, and is the same as the one further up the shaft. I think that as mine is a 1.6td JX, I should be using the Gear selector Bush. Is that right?

regards,

Thatsrustytoo.............

[CovKid]

This is covered in the 5-speed selector renovation WIKI. It talks about the two different types of bush. You'll know exactly what you need once you start prodding around.

[thatsrustytoo]

Dear Covkid,

Thanks for the advice. I have looked at it many times, and now have a pretty good appreciation of the set up. The Gear linkage bush in the middle of the van does not seem to have any rubber boots, which seems odd as presumably the crap gets in there as well. Why don't people use the shift rod bellows for this bush housing as well?

I have removed the rear section of the shaft, and the ali selector cup is corroded inside. There is no rubber boot on the gearbox side of the gearshift joint.

The shaft itself, by the rear bush and cup holders has lost that smooth gold finish, and is now pitted. Partly I think from the fact that the rubber bellows were not held in place on each side by Jubilee clips.

So tomorrow, I shall take the front section apart, and discover more exhausted parts and then I expect to be bothering Brickerks again quite soon.

I really can see the end of the destruction phase, at last.

regards,

Thatsrustytoo...

[CovKid]

Go look in Wilkinsons (scant motoring section) and buy a couple of their oil funnels (just under £3 each). Chuck the top part away and you'll be left with a short length of - black plastic bellows! This stuff is ideal if cut cleanly to protect areas like this and a darned site cheaper than the genuine part. Hope that helps

[thatsrustytoo]

Dear Covkid,

thanks for that.

Have dropped the Housing for the gear shaft, and discovered that my stick was welded back together just above the spring. There is no bush and no grub screw. Hence I cannot remove them and drop the stick through. I am going to have to buy the 'BW's' option. That is fairly pricey. My wife is already muttering about the expense, this may be the final straw...aaaahhhh!!!!!!!!!

The middle bush section is worn like the rear. It seems to me that without rubber bellows protecting the bush, grit is bound to get in and grind it all away over the years. What we need is some new gear shafts made up....

As I am buying new bellows and bush type E for the rear bit, I could use the old ones and buy another 'E' bush for the middle section, plus a couple of clips to hold it all in place. The 'E' bush with the spiral grooves will fit in with the bellows, but the 'D' bush won't as it is larger in diameter and thus will not allow the two cup plates to come together. There is an aprox 10mm gap.

Do you think I should use Moly grease? Is that OK with rubber? neither Brick nor JK seem to offer much in the way of grease options.

It's gloriously sunny, but cold, windy and the firewood is running low.

all good things,

Thatsrustytoo...