280i 5 speed box

[440Interceptor]

Morning all, can somebody please tell me how to get the gearshift lever out of my gearbox? I've read the 'bible' and am still unsure, and don't want to force anything..

'Box and engine are still in my chassis but body is off so access is easy.

I don't have the special Ford tool (003 016 or something?)and the lever housing has 3 bolts in the top which have polydrive (star shaped)heads on them. Torx bits do not work.

I assume this needs to come off to extract the gear lever?

I am taking the engine and 'box out together soon and this is holding me up.

Many thanks in advance! Toby.

[RCK974X]

Those 3 bolts may have a special head, but they are just ordinary 8mm threads. So if you destroy the heads getting them off, don't worry about it, just replace with ordinary hex head bolts. I've done that on two different boxes and not had any issues.

For those 'star' type bolts, I often wedge in a flat screwdriver and a small spanner to turn it with, or perhaps a hex/allen key of the right size might get enough purchase. Or your old knackered screwdriver and a hammer...

Once the 3 bolts are off, the plate just lifts out, with gearstick attached.

[440Interceptor]

Andy thanks, good to know there's nothing (else) special about the bolts. Why would they bother with......? Oh never mind... Conventional head bolts will be going back in afterwards!

Tried a flat screwdriver too. Also tried hacksawing off part of the curved head and attacking (gently) with a hammer and centre punch to get the bolt turning. Strike two. Might have to do the same to the other side of the head and then get a spanner on it. Sheesh.

[RCK974X]

No worries - I would normally suggest sawing across the head to make a slot for the screwdriver, but that's a bit of a bugger when it's still in the transmission tunnel.....

If you have a good centre punch, you can use that as well, make a hole, and then gradually turn the centre punch between blows so that it loosens the bolt. Done that a few times with 'special' type bolt heads...

Yeah, I think some manufacturers do it just to be bloody awkward....

[440Interceptor]

Woo hoo! Centre punch and a fairly heavy hammer got them moving. The gearshift lever does, as you say lift straight out. So what's all that nonsense about special Ford tools? Don't know and don't care. Onward!

[RCK974X]

Tony,

Great news....

Just remembered, I did fit 8mm hex head bolts as replacements, but I used some 'slim' ones which only rise a bit more
than those special head bolts - Not sure where they came from, they were around in my 'spares' pile.

[440Interceptor]

Thanks Andy, noted. I have a local fasteners specialist who apparently has every fixing known to man, so I will test him out with these. Cheers, Toby.

[phillpot]

RCK974X said:

I used some 'slim' ones which only rise a bit more than those special head bolts

Button Heads...

[RCK974X]

Yep, that will do nicely. [Now where have I heard that before...?] and will replicate the original style.

I reckon ordinary hex head will probably be fine too.