Stiff gearchange

[Michael4]

I've left our T25 for a few weeks, coming back to it I find the gearchange has become quite stiff. Lever movement left to right is fine up up and down requires a bit of effort.

All gears seem to engage fine and everything is working.

Any ideas?  

DG, normal 4 speed box.

[ZsZ]

the bushings tend to dry out and make shifting stiff - especially the middle one in the tank crossmember
Crawl under and spray on some WD40 onto the bushings to loosen up the dried grease and then lube them with some penetrating spray lube like chain oil

[Michael4]

As simple as that? Thanks, I'll give it a go!
 

[Stesaw]

You might find worn bushes under there on the linkage, you can get kits to replace the lot

[Robsey]

It could also be a generally dirty, rusty linkage.

Mine was very rusty and rough, due to being exposed under the van for 40 years.

The linkage is quite easy to strip and clean, and it would not harm to remove and clean the old hard grease from the various rubbery / plastic bushes and pack with fresh grease.

However, if it is the "up/down" part that was stiff, then that is more the gear lever end that is probably clogged with muck, grit, rust or whatever, inside the box thing underneath the van floor.
Hidden from view underneath by the spare wheel and carrier, and hidden behind the radiator and grille from the front.

[aec]

Just did mine.  Rear bushing was worn so replaced that and dismantled/cleaned/regreased everything up including the rear ball joint.  That helped make the general feel a lot less sloppy but the stiffness especially between 1st and reverse was still there.  Unbolted the metal guide box above the spare wheel and cleaned out the remains of the now totally solid grease, cleaned an regreased and it's now much better
 

[TONYT25T25]

Thanks for this post, I can add the feedback to my maintenance schedule.