Gear Linkage Failure

[Ammy]

How sensitive is the adjusting screw  ?   I think I may be "overdoing it" when adjusting.

[Neil-yaj396]

It is sensitive, less than one turn transformed 1st & 2nd on my car from unselectable to easy.....

[Ammy]

Thank you for that info.

[Ammy]

Linkage sorted,  no idea the adjustment screw was so sensitive,  ended up using 1/4 turns to get it right.  Many thanks for all the advice.

[mangocrazy]

That's worth knowing (sensitivity of adjuster). Tiny steps seem to be the order of the day.

[Neil-yaj396]

Lightning strikes twice!

After servicing the 1300 Coupe yesterday it was used for a nice drive up the Holme Valley to a lovely Italian restaurant near Holmfirth. Last set of traffic lights before home, change down from 3rd and bingo, the gear stick comes loose in my hand. Luckily even the 1300 could limp home in 3rd. At least I know how to fix it now. Perhaps the mid 60K miles and/or 38 to 40 years is as much as the linkage is good for??

[mangocrazy]

Perhaps the mid 60K miles and/or 38 to 40 years is as much as the linkage is good for??

That's very interesting - my 2000  Spider has done fractionally under 60k miles and is 39 years old. You may have spotted a pattern...

[smithymc]

Indeed. Mine is 42 now- I have had the kit on the shelf for a while, looks like I’ll be fitting it pretty pronto!

Mark

[Neil-yaj396]

Indeed. Mine is 42 now- I have had the kit on the shelf for a while, looks like I’ll be fitting it pretty pronto!

Mark

It seems to be the bushes that collapse, rather than the cross link that breaks. Though while you are working on it, it is definitely worth fitting the upgraded link, as that transforms the change.

[Neil-yaj396]

One of the joints on the 1300's cross link was very worn, so glad I ordered that as well. So both my cars now have the upgraded link. It makes the gear change feel surprisingly different, far more positive, but somehow notchy. I'm sure I'll soon warm to it, just odd after 14 years of Beta driving....

[mangocrazy]

One of the joints on the 1300's cross link was very worn, so glad I ordered that as well. So both my cars now have the upgraded link. It makes the gear change feel surprisingly different, far more positive, but somehow notchy. I'm sure I'll soon warm to it, just odd after 14 years of Beta driving....

I suspect you're adjusting to the lack of vagueness that there is in the standard setup. The 'slop' in the standard bushes and crosslink has been removed and that's probably what makes it feel notchy.