Dodgy Gearbox

[Dilinja]

Hi all,

Its hard to describe this, but when I change gear it feels like Im moving the gear stick through porridge! Gear changes just arent "solid", if you get my drift?

Do I need to have the gearbox replaced? or is there a simple fix I can get a garage to do?

Thanks

[Gaz]

You need to refurb the linkage probably, that or the bit that goes between the gearstick and the gearbox, id do the linkage first.

[Dilinja]

Thanks for the response Gaz.

I've not got hands on with cars before but am starting to feel the love for my cav and want to get to grips with the mechanics underneath it all. Is the linkage something you think I could handle myself or should I take it to a garage?

[humbucker]

Give it a go yourself This guide is aimed at the f28 gearbox but the principle should be the same even if there's a variation from the pics:

Tools:
Two 5mm drill bits or pins
Nice long 1/2" or 3/8" extension
13mm socket and ratchet to fit extension
Spray or White grease

Lift off the gear gaiter and you will see a hole in the white base and one on the gear stick.



Line the holes and pop a drill bit in.



Now got to the engine bay at the back above the TX box you will see the gear linkage, on the linkage is a 13mm head bolt (pinch bolt) loosen this bolt (this is where the long extension comes into its own!), the linkage should be now free to turn etc.



Now on the gearbox next to were the linkage goes in is a small plastic plug.



Remove the plug and grab the other drill bit.



You will need both hands now, slide the other 5mm drill bit into the hole where the plug was. Now keeping a moderate pressure on the drill bit (be careful as drill bits are sharp - use gloves if possible) rotate the linkage until you feel the drill bit drop in further.



Release any pressure and now tighten the pinch bolt we loosened earlier. Remove drill bits and replace covers and plugs, it good practice to apply some spray white grease to the lever mechanism under the gaiter and to also check the white cradle is nice and secure to the chassis.
I have done this to each Vauxhall i have owned and when coupled with a transmission fluid change always felt like new.

[Dilinja]

Sold! Thanks Humbucker

Ill give this a go tomorrow and let you know how I get on

[Gaz]

the alignment wont have anything to do with it, its sloppy not, out of sync.

[TurboDan]

For free its well worth a shot.

Also for free is the old cable tie trick. Pull the leather gaitor up from around the gear stick and you will see the ball that slots into a surround. Well give the stick abit of a wobble and you will see how much play there is around the ball before it actually moves anything. Trick is to get a load of cable ties and slot them around the surround that the ball goes into and so makeing it all tighter. This should improve things abit.

[TurboDan]

Heres a bad picture but you get the idea as you can just see one cable tie and you can see where you need to put them.

[Dilinja]

Thanks turbo, will give that a go tomorrow (have plenty of cable ties)

the alignment wont have anything to do with it, its sloppy not, out of sync.

Is that photo how to not to do with the linkage? Is there a "how to" for what you were suggesting above?

[TurboDan]

There is a howto for refurbing the linkage somewhere, have a search. It costs about £35 for all the bits to do it from vauxhall. But just try the free options first as it may just solve your problem.

[Dilinja]

Is this the one?

viewtopic.php?f=42&t=5156&p=63138

Guess I'd best get a Haynes manual as I have no idea how to access the linkage, haha!

Edit: just read humbuckers guide again and it says to go the back engine bay. I presume this means I'll need to jack the car up?

(sorry for all the newb questions and thank you all for your patience and assistance. I really appreciate it)

[TurboDan]

Thats not a how to on refubing the whole linkage but that is also another good mod you can do.

You shouldn't need to jack it up, you should be able to reach it all from under the bonnet.

[Dilinja]

Wow, I fail!

Had a go yesterday and admittedly the light was failing, but I couldnt even find the linkage

Tried downloading the haynes manual thats linked on this site but its missing chapters 6, 7 and 8. The chapter with the gear linkage in it is apparently 7

So I've bought one off ebay. As soon as that arrives, the linkage is mine I tell you!

[Dilinja]

Had another go at it today and I think I've found the linkage. Am I right in thinking the linkage is what connects to the gearbox? (identified by the fact that it has a diagram of the gears on it )

If so, I'm not sure how I can get to it to perform these mods without removing several other things first. Its buried in there!