Finding gears like stirring soup

[ianders]

Hi guys, new to the forum.
I've just picked up my new camper and driven 500 miles home and found it quite difficult moving through the gears. First and fourth are a doddle, 2nd sometimes impossible and 3rd not so bad. Also seems to be a huge amount of play in the stick, e.g. put it into reverse and the stick comes back towards neutral about halfway, although it's still engaged reverse. Any suggestions as to what might be the cause?

Things I'm thinking are box oil and/or linkage.

It had a recon'd engine last year and has done next to no miles since so I'd presume gear oil will be fine although will be checking anyway.

Apart from that, looking forward to getting the use out the van

[Ralf85]

You may just need a gear lever repair kit. There are different kits depending on the one you have. Check on Brickwerks. The plastic bearing at the bottom of the gear stick wears out eventually. Mine fell apart. Replaced it and the gear change is now spot on!

[ianders]

Thanks Ralf, I'm on there now looking at the repair kits. At £31 for the kit and bushes it's worth a punt! I'll let you know how it goes!

[rob1927]

Just done mine too with same kit, i also replaced the ally guide blocks as they were well worn, the linkage bushes and i replaced the selector cup, gear change is now spot on, worth the investment.

Theres a full how to in the wiki provided by covkid.

[CovKid]

Its a fun way to lose a Sunday, flat on your back I'll say that.

As said though. it should transform your gear change but you may need to work from the front towards the back to solve all of it. I bought the components from Brickwerks and other places including ebay - some bits I made myself by adapting items meant for other purposes (thanks Wilco) - mostly because it was fun.

[ianders]

Thanks all. I've put the order in with Brickwerks for the repair kit and bushes so fingers crossed that'll fix it. Otherwise I'll work my way back as suggested.

[ianders]

Just to update, I replaced the joint at the bottom of the stick along with the bushes and the gears are now spot on. Absolute doddle of a job too, hardest part was pushing out the 12mm adapter and pushing the 14mm one in. Many thanks for the advice!

[Ralf85]

Pleasure and great to get the positive feedback. Enjoy the drive!