Sometimes when fitting a replacement gearbox you may find that not all the gears are easily selected OR the car jumps out of a gear.
The following is a simple way of adjusting the gearlever to gearbox geometry:
Assuming the engine and gearbox are fully fitted and all connection points fully secure particularly those pertaining to the gearbox. e.g.
- The flexible link between gearbox and gear-lever connecting rods should be tightened with a Little play. Ensuring the thin “springy” washer is in the correct place next to the Collar washer. A little movement is needed on both the bolts.
- The rubber in the Flex link is not soft and is fully intact and with only a LITTLE movement when twisted by hand.
As a general rule a correctly aligned gear-lever will be near vertical in the neutral postion.
With the engine and gearbox now fully in place.
Working inside the car try and engage each gear, then move 1-2, 2-3, 3-4 fairly quickly. Finally try reverse. If all gears engage then next step is a short road test.
IF NOT i.e. ALL gears not engaging properly then:-
- Then slacken off the gear stick support screws (13mm spanner) which are situated behind the rubber/carpet on driver’s side of the tunnel, just to the RHS of the gear lever. Slacken the screws just a little to allow the gear-lever housing to move but with some difficulty.
- Holding the gear stick in the normal driving position move the gear lever quickly forward back 1-2, 2-3 and 3-4 a few times. Note the assembly will move a small amount as the lever is pushed-pulled. Make sure that you have good FULL movement on the lever, which should move the assembly only a very small amount!! 1mm ish!!!. (If it moves a lot then you have slackened the screws too much.
- Gently nip the screws tight and gently try all the gears, including reverse, (9 times out of ten this simple trick will align the lever to gearbox)
- Check the alignment once again and fully tighten the screws etc. .
- Final step is a short road test.
Remember: The gearlever assembly movement will only be a very small amount and 1mm is a LOT. So if you have to Fine Tune the adjustment, then move it forward/backward a tiny amount (<1mm) in between testing
