Painful gear shift

[eric]

Update:
Did not ring my garage on Friday for fear of bad news like `There's nothing more we can do Eric!` Depressed.

I did, however, after getting a grip, find several `exploding diagrams` of the linkages of the back (gearbox area), the front (directly below the gear-stick) and the middle (spine?) on the web, subsequently printing them off. I'm now a little more familiar with the linkage set-up.

I intend, whether or not Andrew (garage prop) is successful at getting the gear-selections reasonably operable, going to order as many parts as I can find, for the future stripping down, which, bearing in my intention is to keep the bus until I am unable to drive (health-wise), is inevitable one day.

No phone call from garage regarding progress or lack of it on Friday so I rang and spoke to Andrew on Saturday morning. In answer to my question as to the state of play, he told me that they had several attemps during Friday but while successful at 2nd, 3rd, 4th and reverse gears, 1st was still thwarting them and due to the fact that he was on his own it will have to be Monday for another attempt.

I asked him whether he had removed the bash-plate for a close inspection and he said that there was no need because he could see the `wear.` He confirmed no bolts had become loose. Hmmmm, why am I feeling a little sceptical about the veracity of that statement?

Anyway fellas, paradoxically, Andrew is familiar with the linkage set-up on the bus because, believe it or not, it has had 2 clutches fitted over the past 5 yrs (by different garages) and on both occasions were `signed-off` with the gear-selections in an appalling state and it was Andrew who re-set the linkages and an excellent job he did too! Go figure.

Jason: The garage is .... http://www.aandsmotorrepairs.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; When Gareth (Airman) popped up, he told me they do enjoy a good rep.

....... I've got a daft idea. What if I visited the garage on the morrow and took pics of the offending linkages ... with the bloody bash-plate OFF!!?? Hehehe.

Thanks for your positive words Mike.

Eric.

[eric]

Final update:

After the garage having my bus for 5 days, the linkages have been done and the gear selections are now acceptable. Cost = £20 (inc VAT).

I find it rather disturbing, however, that they seem to be operating on an `Animal Farm` principle (sic) ..... ie. `we are all equal, but some are more equal than others.` To elucidate, I was told the delay in completing the work was because of urgent jobs which came in?? I was tempted to engage the boss in more meaningful dialogue on the matter, but decided `oh frook it` and took my leave.

Eric.

[CovKid]

At £20 I'd say no more

[Plasticman]

Yep be very quiet,
mike