That's right chums I have a sloppy one! My gear stick in 4th is between my legs! And the knob hits the dash when going into 1st. Now the gears select really nice it's just there is about 18 inches maybe more at the top of the gear stick side to side. Cheap fix anyone?
If the gears are easy to find I guess the linkage is fine. (Edit. Responses below say this is probably *****!) Cheapest would be to go for a quick shift plate under your existing shifter, more expensive would be to go for a reduced throw shifter (Scat, CSP, Berg etc)
Replace the front bush that helps quite a bit and is easy to do. I suspect your ball is worn out (mine was). A gear lever raising plate will help a bit as well. (lengthens the ball throw, shortening the lever travel) I have a free one if you're going to Summer Camp. Ultimately changing all the bushes (engine out!) will solve it, or do as I did and fit an aftermarket shifter and problem is solved.
I've seen plenty of vans who have slack bushes and linkages but can still find the gears well. You'd need to check (and replace as necessary) the bushes from the whole linkage from the front to the gearbox. Plus as TBR says, check the ball and cup at the base of gearstick. Not an expensive fix for any of it.
Agreed, do this first as you don't need to do anything drastic to replace/repair these parts. If it's still got loads of slack, the gearbox needs a new ball on the hockey stick - engine and gearbox out takes a bit longer.
Erm...just wondering,as were on about gears and stuff...mine jumps out of 1st sometimes...whats that all about?
cool,i'll adjust the shifter and see what happens.And while your at it,are quick shift plates any help..?
Well...this afternoon,i messed around with the van,you know,new oil,cleaned the points,plugs,adjusted the valves,did the timing,adjusted the rear brakes...then looked at the quick shift plate,still in its packet that i bought about a year or so ago. I stuck it into second,whipped the lever off,cleaned it all up and stuck it all back on.Before tightening the new,long bolts up, it tapped the whole lot forwards then lightly torqued them down...Blimey! Its like driving a car now! And it dosnt jump out of first anymore on take off!
