4 speed box - shift problems/fixes

[york33]

Afternoon all

I know we've talked about problems with the 4speed box having a very sloppy gearchange. I certainly have!

Well, I've just finished rebuilding my gearbox and have largely fixed the problem with it if anyone still has the same problem. Now has minimal slop, still partly there due to slight wear of the 3rails, not worth replacement though. This is the box in question.



To get to the problem component, minimal dismantling is needed. I wouldn't like to try it in the car though! The gear lever needs removing and the middle cover on the picture. Then the gearchange rod is removed and extracted, this is where the fault lies. TBH, I'd buy a Capri Haynes of eBay to get a better description of the process of dismantling!





The nylon ring is supposed to be clipped inside the steel ring on the end of the gearchange rod, I found mine in the bottom of the gearbox. The bottom of the gearlever sits in this ring, without the nylon ring there's a huge amount of slop to the shift.

I made a replacement nylon+steel bush out of a spare suspension bush I had, about perfect size! Pressed into the steel rod, reassemble, et voila!



Much closer fit now and I'm quite pleased with it.



Of course the car is still in many pieces so can't say for definite what it's like in use.

Hope that helps someone and doesn't bore too many of you

cheers
Dave

>> Edited by york33 on Wednesday 6th July 12:46

[darkbluewedge]

I replaced the bush on mine while the gearbox was still in the car. You have to remove the shaft to fit the bush and then put it back. I had to be careful not to drop anything into the box!

DarkBlueWedge

[niva441]

Sounds like a lot of work, but it could be the definative answer to gearchange wear.

I've just replaced my gearlever bush with a secondhand one, but it's only a matter of miles before that will need replacing.

Is it possible to remove the plate the gearlever mounts to without stripping the whole gearbox?

[york33]

You don't have to strip the whole box (though I did to replace bearings) you just need remove the centre cover. Then remove three bolts in all, two holding the rail mount and one attaching a selector finger to the rail. Then you can unbolt the gear lever/selector cover(left in picture) and withdraw the rail back out of there.

[grahamw48]

Thanks for posting.

Really helpful and informative.
Mine isn't too bad at the moment (also had new clutch), and I do have the Capri manual, but as they say - 'a picture tells a thousand stories'.

[jchase]

I remember on my old 280i that the replacement nylon bush didn't stay crisp too long. Presumably due to the fact that the exhaust pipes were about 3mm away from the gear selector inside the tunnel! That was a great car to drive, as if your elbow ever touched the metal of the gearstick of the handbrake you got such a burn that you would twitch the car almost into the other lane - he he he.

-Jim