Overhauling 5 speed gearbox linkage

[Smiffo]

I have an assembled 5-speed lever at work...

...and yes I do make the pyramids, Brickwerks are the sole outlet.

Ah - thought I saw it somewhere - I recently bought some from Brickwerks..!!

I have everything now, ( gearstick, housing, pyramids, linkage bushes etc ) except the the bits that fit through the bottom of the 5sp gearstick.
( not the bit that connects to the linkage, but the bit above it. )
I have managed to find every bit for that on Brickwerks and have it sat in my `boot`, but can't find the spring and ball bearing on there..!!

Would you mind giving me the sizes of the ball and spring next time you go to work please?
( I will source elsewhere if necessary unless anyone knows where I can get the specifically listed item )

I have emailed Brickwerks too, and hopefully will get a response tomorrow - although as it isn't listed I don't hold out much hope.

[silverbullet]

No sweat. I can measure the ball n spring tomorrow.

[Smiffo]

No sweat. I can measure the ball n spring tomorrow.

[silverbullet]

8mm ball, 46mm long spring: 7.6 dia, 1.2mm wire, 20 turns in total inc. square ground ends

(replied to your Wanted but if it's here it might just get archived)

[Smiffo]

8mm ball, 46mm long spring: 7.6 dia, 1.2mm wire, 20 turns in total inc. square ground ends

(replied to your Wanted but if it's here it might just get archived)

Cheers

[zxr750]

Postby CovKid » 13 Feb 2012, 06:55

Excellent pics and explanation so far! By the way, you can either replace the blocks or just get someone who can weld ally to build them up and grind them back to shape although they won't actually stop you engaging gears. You can in fact find them without any blocks at all.

Re:quick shifts, the pivot point is raised on the lever to alter the leverage ratio, not the lever raised itself. The fork still meets the pyramids in the same position.

Try finding gears on a 5-speed without the alloy pyramids in place!

The pyramids are only available through Brickwerks.

Confused!

[silverbullet]

I would say that you *can* find the gears without the pyramids, but it doesn't make for a pleasant driving experience.
Along with the forks on the end of the gearlever they make up the shift gate.
The four speed is a far simpler device (but no less crude imho)
As for having the pyramids welded, they are made from the usual high-zinc die cast poopalloy that vw favoured and good luck finding someone who will TIG weld them for less than the cost of new (made from wrought 6082-T6 btw)

[CovKid]

poopalloy

[Smiffo]

Evening all.

Another question on this.
I have struggled to source the spring that goes with the ball bearing - I have the other bits in my boot on Brickwerks, but even Brickwerks advised via email that they can not get a suitable replacement spring either aftermarket.

Now, I am seriously contemplation buying a second hand complete gearstick, then selling the parts I don't need afterward ( I was thinking the shaft as they snap apparently, so should be in demand and the buyer would likely have the spring from the old setup. ) This would stop me needing to buy the other bits too, so the price might not be much different overall.

The RHD ones are a bit expensive, but how much should I expect to pay for a second hand LHD variant?

I was thinking instead of buying all the individual bits that go with the gearstick for indent etc, I would just buy a second hand one, utilise the bits I need, then sell the stick as an item without those parts. ( Which would be OK if someone only has a snapped shaft. )

Just for clarity here, I already have a new 5sp stick bought and delivered, but it comes as an individual item without the associated parts.

Thoughts anyone on prices etc?

What do you think?

[silverbullet]

As a business I have bought from Lee Spring and always had good service:

http://www.leespring.co.uk/uk_index.asp?CountryCode=011" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[silverbullet]

Put the sizes into this

http://www.leespring.co.uk/uk_compressi ... hat=Search" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[silverbullet]

This looks pretty close
http://www.leespring.co.uk/uk_product_s ... C&subType=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Smiffo]

Thanks SilverB.

I was looking at the site you referenced when you posted this last comment.
My only concern is the `force` of the compression spring for the application I need.

The dimensions are quite close, but BWorks did say that the ones they had tried were not strong enough to do the job.

Such a pain for a relatively minor part..!!

I really need to know the rating of the original part I suppose.
Failing that I could `try` one from the site - springs aren't exactly expensive - but that niggle in my head tells me if the pro's can't find one and have tried, I should try a different tact?

I can see the light, but it moves away the closer I get!!

[silverbullet]

Its only for the 1st/reverse detent. Cant see how a spring with two less turns would be weaker.
More turns = lower rate for the same gauge of wire and free length (and same preload)

[silverbullet]

If we are lucky Mr Baxter can add this to his list of "small things to do that wont take 5 minutes"...