Gear stick trouble

[boiliebob]

Good day all,
I've recently been experiencing some trouble actually moving the gear stick into position to select first gear. I have to 'wiggle' the stick before it finds it correct travel across into first position.
After a quick gander at the weekend I've complied these pics for your appraisal. I believe my problem is the worn fork ends. this I have deduced from the wiki entry and subsequent post searches, and the fact they look worn!
Would you be able to confirm this please?
(I'll be ordering a new bellow and spring too!)

cheers,
Rob

(Westy Atlantic 1.6TD '90 LHD)

[CovKid]

Worn fork ends make the gate sloppy but won't stop you finding gears.

[Ralf85]

Back to basics. Have you checked the nylon ball and bits at the bottom of the gear lever? This may need replacing as eventually they fall to bits like mine did leaving me with no gears at all. Replaced mine (the kits are not expensive to buy from Brickwerks - make sure you order the correct one) and all my gears tightened up!

[boiliebob]

cheers for the prompt replies.
Covkid: The actual selection into gear is ok, I have problems actually getting the gearstick to move into that position in the first place, if that makes sense. it feel as if it's getting stuck on the lever guides. A slight wiggle and pressure and it slips into position.

Ralf85: yes, done that one. first thing I checked and all good.

Whilst having a gander at the Brickwerks webshop, I notice they do new selector lever guides. Looking at mine in the pics, would it be advisable to change them?

[Troopy]

I had the same problem and have just changed all the bushes on the gearing along with the aluminium blocks and the fork ends.

Has made a world of difference, no problem selecting gears and the box is nice and tight now.

Got the bush kit off ebay for around £50 and the ally bits and fork ends off BW

Well worth doing in my opinion

[greasemonkey]

I had the same problem and have just changed all the bushes on the gearing along with the aluminium blocks and the fork ends.

Has made a world of difference, no problem selecting gears and the box is nice and tight now.

Got the bush kit off ebay for around £50 and the ally bits and fork ends off BW

Well worth doing in my opinion

If I can hijack the thread briefly, how hard is this job for a n average bodger.
My gears are like stirring porridge so interested if this could help things out.

[Troopy]

I had the same problem and have just changed all the bushes on the gearing along with the aluminium blocks and the fork ends.

Has made a world of difference, no problem selecting gears and the box is nice and tight now.

Got the bush kit off ebay for around £50 and the ally bits and fork ends off BW

Well worth doing in my opinion

If I can hijack the thread briefly, how hard is this job for a n average bodger.
My gears are like stirring porridge so interested if this could help things out.

Its not a major job, getting all the stuff off the gearstick was my issue until a friend lent me the use of a bench and vice.

[CovKid]

Is all in the WIKI https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ma ... x_specific" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ZsZ]

the plastic bellow fallen apart, so the pin is without lubrication.

Temporary fix: lubricate the pin under the bellow.
Permanent fix: change all the plastic and rubber parts and lubricate everything

[greasemonkey]

That wiki is great, certainly looks a straightforward task, cheers

[boiliebob]

thanks for all the replies Gents.
Parts now on order. One last question, which side do the plastic pads for the forks adhere to? Looking from the rear into the housing, would it be the left side of the forks?
cheers,
Rob

[Aidan]

length of linkage is all important, there is a gap in the gate in the neutral position both in the gearbox and under the gearstick, if the length is too short then you can struggle to get across to 1st so op check the pinch bolt in the middle and that you have 8mm-10mm or so of splines visible infront of the join, if less then loosen bolt and extend linkage a dadge, lock off and recheck, on a five speed best with 2 peeps, one pushes ball into gearbox till spring pressure felt and does the bolt up and other holds gearstick in central neutral position

I plan on doing some videos of the various linkage adjustments and set up and repair with Al Vlux in late winter, will be on the look out for a couple of subject vans to do as don't have a 5 speed here, there will be a post on general near the time, oil change for gearbox will also be covered and I guess it's worth doing a look around under a van that you can use to help identify major components and systems and the common problem areas worth looking at closely especially if buying a van

[CovKid]

Very clear explanation Aidan. Will add that to WIKI under gear linkage adjustments. Get it wrong and it creates havoc!