Club 80-90 Forums

I had the gearstick hits the radio problem and it was a bent stick, managed to straighten it out though.

To check that is the problem try adjusting the mechanism as per Haynes (an adjustable joint half-way underneath), if it still isn't sensible then the stick will be bent.

Hmmm,
I've read HM's master-class of info and descriptive eloquence regarding this topic, but my recent (very) problem is slightly different (I think).

For the last 100 or so miles around my small town which is not only undulating but also has many twists, turns and sharp corners requiring the full monty of nifty gear-changes with 4th to 2nd/ 1st to 2nd/3rd to 2nd problematical. When finding 1st and 2nd there is a sort of knocking/clunking sound (not prevalent until recently) before finding it's slot after my hunting for the gear. It sounds as if there is a bolt which has worked loose underneath where the gear-stick disappears out of view.

I popped into the garage an hour or so ago and while stationary, clutch fully depressed, let the main man listen to the gear-changes. He said it might be worn linkages. I'm booked in for next Wednesday, cos he's very busy.

Apart from printing out HM and others info and pics, to give to my garage bloke, is there anything you guys can add ..... perhaps my prob is different?

Thanks for translating my usual uneducated drivel.

Eric.

Sounds like one or both of the ally guide blocks has worked loose.
theres not a lot to go wrong in there
Mike

Mike,
Thanks for that piece of info, I'll tell my chap at garage, along with the Wiki info which I printed off.

I'm wondering whether it's ok to carry on driving the bus in the meantime (Until next Wednesday that is, when I'm booked into the garage), obviously gently?

Eric.

I havent got a picky to show you but the bottom of your gear stick has a fork which is bolted to aa rod that goes back to the g'box, thats about all that moves down there,
The ally blocks bolt to the bottom of the box that holds/covers these bits, and they stick up about an inch and the fork on the bottom of your g'stick passes over (straddles) these blocks so if one is loose it will feel clumpy and like something is loose, (bit like having a loose tooth, feels bigger and worse than it really is)

I would say worst case scenario is it stops you getting a couple of gears or if it falls off then makes it harder to get the gear you want.

Assuming this is the fault, if so then dead easy to fix at minimal cost.maybe just tightening it up

Mike

metalmick8y wrote:I havent got a picky to show you but the bottom of your gear stick has a fork which is bolted to aa rod that goes back to the g'box, thats about all that moves down there,
The ally blocks bolt to the bottom of the box that holds/covers these bits, and they stick up about an inch and the fork on the bottom of your g'stick passes over (straddles) these blocks so if one is loose it will feel clumpy and like something is loose, (bit like having a loose tooth, feels bigger and worse than it really is)

I would say worst case scenario is it stops you getting a couple of gears or if it falls off then makes it harder to get the gear you want.

Assuming this is the fault, if so then dead easy to fix at minimal cost.maybe just tightening it up

Mike

Yes Mike,
I think you're spot on with your description.

Thanks mate ......... am I still ok to drive carefully around for a few days though?

Eric.

Yep.
I drove mine with both blocks missing for a time, makes selection horrid but!!!
If this is the problem then say your driving and need to shift a gear in a hurry then you may find it picks this time to be awkward and you get no gear change.
Its your call, but personally I would have no problem driving it around. IF it should cease to work (our vans dont break they 'cease to work/function') then so what , I was at some lights in Scarborough, first at them, busy sat lunchtime at a junction and went for 1st and gearstick snapped! oh and I was on a hill. the problem wasnt mine but the cars behind, I just put the hazzards and the kettle on and had a think. seriously..
Mike

metalmick8y wrote:Yep.
I drove mine with both blocks missing for a time, makes selection horrid but!!!
If this is the problem then say your driving and need to shift a gear in a hurry then you may find it picks this time to be awkward and you get no gear change.
Its your call, but personally I would have no problem driving it around. IF it should cease to work (our vans dont break they 'cease to work/function') then so what , I was at some lights in Scarborough, first at them, busy sat lunchtime at a junction and went for 1st and gearstick snapped! oh and I was on a hill. the problem wasnt mine but the cars behind, I just put the hazzards and the kettle on and had a think. seriously..
Mike

Yes, but it takes years of practice to reach that level of calm Mike. (in other words not giving a farking crape)

Eric.

Yep. and the folks behind understood and got round me and I went slowly back on to valley bridge had the brew manually stuck it in 3rd and drove to a mates nearby and modded it to use for the rest of the day, seriouse repair when home and repositioned the stick to be near my left knee in 5th
and no I didnt give a fark.
Mike

Update:

Well, I went to pick up my bus from the garage only to find they were still working on it. So, I hung around watching and listening to their chatter. Young kid in the cab and old bloke (not my normal guy, who is the boss), making adjustments and shouting to the lad (who I suppose was about 18, but looked about 11). Anyway, I observed this performance for 10 mins before they lowered the ramp. Old guy takes her for a test run around the block and announces "all is now well."

So, I climbed in and tried all the gears or rather the ones I could find! Not being a bloke who throws in the towel easily, I eventually found 1st and set off out of the garage premises. Immediately, I had difficulty in finding 2nd, but persevered, finding it eventually. After 50 yds, reached the large, fast, busy roundabout and halfway around tried to find 3rd ..... not a hope in hell, so headed back to garage .... slowly.

Drove in much to the boss's obvious dismay (who was also watching his mate's endeavours along with me earlier) and told him the gear changes are worse than before, so he told me where to park her up for further attention. To get to the nominated place I had to reverse and guess what ...... I just couldn't locate the damn gear. He then tried and also failed dismally. He was muttering about `worn linkages` as I called for a taxi to take me back home.

This is the 3rd time the garage have `signed off` the bus after a job has been done only for me to find it was not done satisfactory. Vehicle still at garage until ...... God knows when.

HELP! Anyone know where I can buy/purloin new gear linkages?

Eric.

Well Eric I feel sorry for you. its not rocket science, all this talk of new linkages is rubbish, if its worse now then it follows that the linkage/bushes havent worn in days! so back to adjustment. granted it can be difficult to select all gears if there is wear, but unless the garage or you have had experience of what is acceptable wear/play then not a hope in hell.
Honest I do/did mine on my own by establishing neutral in the g'stick mounting box when all other bits were loose and working back.
I take it they have Never done one before?
Surely there must be someone on here that is near to you ,garage or w.h.y. that can help.
Mike

Awww, thanks for your kind words of support Mike .... truly appreciated.

Thinking about it there's Gareth (Airman) who lives in Cardiff who actually came up to me on his push-bike several months ago to give the bus a once-over. He seems to know his onions, but he doesn't have a garage although he told me that he can get access to one via friends. The prob is of course the state the garage let me have it in earlier today, there's no way the shed(sorry) could be driven! I guess I'll have to wait until they get back to me. Chicken and egg situation at the moment.

I've had a look on Just Kampers web-site and there's quite a few little bits and bobs to do with the linkage set-up which, if suitable for a Syncro, can only improve matters... maybe.

I'm remaining calm and refreshing my glass again to practice, as is my wont, for a Syncro Meet one sodding day .... must have missed about 6 this year!

Thanks for your interest mate ....... I'll post developments.

Eric.

Update:
Yesterday afternoon I had an interesting conversation with a bloke called Russel of Syncronutz. I rang him (as recommended by Just Kampers) to enquire about what bits and bobs might aid the gear-selection probs I've been experiencing, in particular parts that commonly wear out. He gave me the part numbers of some JK bushes and flanges which will fit my Syncro, but he also mentioned the removal of the bash-plate to reveal aluminium guides/bracket holding selector-shaft etc.

Now, as far as I know, my mechanic has not even removed the bash-plate to have a dekko! I shall be ringing him later to ask him to check the whole rigmarole for worn-out parts.

Yes, and I'm going to get a Bentleys asap, as I can't find the CD that Aidan sent me.

Eric.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. the plot thickens!! So this prooves they no nowt about it, and are thrashing in a turbulent sea and slowly drowning, ( sorry had a beer or two) it would seem these guys are fitters as opposed to mechanics and have little or no understanding of simple mechanical principles. hey ho rant over, hope progress is made
Mike

what garage are you using eric??