1988 JX 5 speed gear lever position problem

[fixitsteve]

Hi all,
i 've just bought my van back from its MOT which it passed, but the tester in his ultimate wisdom has forced the gear lever so hard to find reverse the whole lot has moved out of position so it is now all to far forward. It all still changes gear ok. Can somebody tell me how to return it to its correct position. I am assuming this means re-adjusting some bolts or something.
Thanks.

[fixitsteve]

I've just looked at the gear lever and it looks like its been bent by the force used by the idiot to try to select reverse, which is easy when u know how to do it.
How do i remove the gear lever to straighten it and will this the affect the gear selection when put back.
Thanks.

[Hacksawbob]

Can somebody tell me how to return it to its correct position

Bend it gentle without putting any stress on the lower section if possible.

will this the affect the gear selection when put back.

No but there is quite a good chance that it will snap.

new available (ouch) http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/g ... drive.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Oldiebut goodie]

Put it back to the garage and tell them to fix it! I presume that you informed them immediately upon discovery.

[fixitsteve]

There a bunch of idiots so i don't want them doing any more damage !

[Oldiebut goodie]

They should at least pay for the new part, there is no excuse for that hamfistedness. I have the same dogleg on my Merc and I watched as the tester tried to get the gear but he was gentle and didn't put his 20 stone bulk behind it!

[fixitsteve]

Is the gear stick shaft hollow and not solid. Is it common for them to bend ? I was thinking how easy it is to straighten again in situ.
How difficult is it to remove for straightening.

[tommin]

I had similar issue with mine. Yes you can easily remove the stick, it should be a screw on. I did mine by cutting a small piece of metal tubing slightly bigger than the stick, placed it over the lower stem, some slight heat from a blow torch or a couple of hours with a hairdrier it will bend easily enough then. I then decided to weld that small piece of pipe in situ, to give the bend area some added strength, as this is the area prone to breaking.