Club 80-90 Forums

New to this syncro ownership but learning fast.
The gears were always a bit stiff but over the last few days third and forth moved over to where first and second once were while first and second were what I can only describe as hiding in where reverse lives. Reverse was still there until this evening and now I'm missing reverse and second and first accesses third by going sideways not via neutral.

Had a look under and the gator surrounding the "onion" is virtually non existent and the gators along the shaft are also in a poor state. I'm guessing the onion is in a bit of a state too since there won't be much grease left.

Nightmare

There are quite a number of wearing parts (bushes, boots etc) in the gearshift linkage which must be considered 'service items' as most Syncros are now well beyond their design lifetime. Fortunately most parts are still available. However the linkage rods themselves can sustain irreparable damage at their splined joint (the joint provides for the necessary radial adjustment). From your description it sounds like both cases may apply, but its definitely worth having a close look at the splined joint to see if its just come loose (it may be hidden inside a protective tube). Adjustment can be a bit fiddly, more info on that in the wiki I trust..