Gear selection problem
Discussion
Hi,
Could someone exlplain the linkage in the Ford 4-speed (Type E?) for me?
I was driving to work today and noticed when shifing from 2nd into 3rd that I almost missed 3rd and over the next few munites it got worse. It seems that the positions of my gears have move over to the right by an inch or so. 1st/2nd are slightly to the right of the rest position and 3rd/4th are right up against the side of the hole in the trim.
I'm concerned that if it moves another centimetre, then I'll not be able to get 3rd/4th at all!
Has this happened to anyone else and does anyone have an explaination or fix?
Thanks
Could someone exlplain the linkage in the Ford 4-speed (Type E?) for me?
I was driving to work today and noticed when shifing from 2nd into 3rd that I almost missed 3rd and over the next few munites it got worse. It seems that the positions of my gears have move over to the right by an inch or so. 1st/2nd are slightly to the right of the rest position and 3rd/4th are right up against the side of the hole in the trim.
I'm concerned that if it moves another centimetre, then I'll not be able to get 3rd/4th at all!
Has this happened to anyone else and does anyone have an explaination or fix?
Thanks
It's a Type 5 box. Could be the nylon bush has fallen out. Is the shift now incredibly sloppy too?
See this thread I posted a few weeks ago and see if it's any use to you.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=12&h=&t=191483
cheers
Dave
See this thread I posted a few weeks ago and see if it's any use to you.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=12&h=&t=191483
cheers
Dave
Well, after reading that thread again I have a better understanding of my gearbox 
But after tonight's drive home I'm not entirely convinced that it's the 'box itself. When it happened this morning it was spretty sudden. One shift it's the same it's always been, the next 3rd is an inch or so away from it's usual position. I was virtually at work though when it happened so didn't get to really observe the problem. But I've just had a 15 mile drive home.
I have an idea and I could be way out, but it makes the most sense to me. I'm wondering whether it could be a gearbox mount that's failed. Either the mount itself or the tab on the chassis bent/snapped off.
You see, 1st, 2nd and reverse are all completely fine. Feel as tight (if you can use that word for a Ford 'box) as ever. The rest position of the stick has moved over to the right as has the point at which the stiff spring for reverse kicks in. And looking at the photos in the above thread I would have thought with a problem like that, although you may need to move the stick further to the right to get 3rd/4th, you would also have to move it further left than normal for 1st/2nd/reverse.
IIRC the gearbox is supported from below by two mounts at about 45 degrees from vertical. If the right hand one was to 'go' surely the 'box would list to one side?
Also when in traffic with the clutch in and the stick in first with my hand on the handbrake there is a gap of 1 or 2 cm between the knob and the back of my hand. When I engage the clutch the stick moves to the right and presses into the back of my hand. As if the right hand mount isn’t holding it in place properly when it takes up the strain.
But after tonight's drive home I'm not entirely convinced that it's the 'box itself. When it happened this morning it was spretty sudden. One shift it's the same it's always been, the next 3rd is an inch or so away from it's usual position. I was virtually at work though when it happened so didn't get to really observe the problem. But I've just had a 15 mile drive home.
I have an idea and I could be way out, but it makes the most sense to me. I'm wondering whether it could be a gearbox mount that's failed. Either the mount itself or the tab on the chassis bent/snapped off.
You see, 1st, 2nd and reverse are all completely fine. Feel as tight (if you can use that word for a Ford 'box) as ever. The rest position of the stick has moved over to the right as has the point at which the stiff spring for reverse kicks in. And looking at the photos in the above thread I would have thought with a problem like that, although you may need to move the stick further to the right to get 3rd/4th, you would also have to move it further left than normal for 1st/2nd/reverse.
IIRC the gearbox is supported from below by two mounts at about 45 degrees from vertical. If the right hand one was to 'go' surely the 'box would list to one side?
Also when in traffic with the clutch in and the stick in first with my hand on the handbrake there is a gap of 1 or 2 cm between the knob and the back of my hand. When I engage the clutch the stick moves to the right and presses into the back of my hand. As if the right hand mount isn’t holding it in place properly when it takes up the strain.
There are a number of threads on this subject (and you didn't mention if there was any vertical play in the shifter) but I'd bet that it's one of the interior busings giving up. Fortunately it relatively easy pull the shifter and see what is going on.
If it's the semi-spherical bushing (shown in picture #2 with the pin going through it), replacements are available and it's a quick fix.
If it the lower bushing, I shudder at the thought of trying to replace it with the box still in the car. Grady
If it's the semi-spherical bushing (shown in picture #2 with the pin going through it), replacements are available and it's a quick fix.
If it the lower bushing, I shudder at the thought of trying to replace it with the box still in the car. Grady
Just had a look and my engine mounts are definitely there, but the right hand one does look a bit misshapen. The left hand one is almost perfectly round. The engine is definitely leaning to the right too.
I'm pleased that it's not the 'box at fault, though!
How perfectly round should the mounts be? Are they expected to get a bit oval/squished or is that the end of the life for the mount? I'm hoping it is this right hand mount since it looks relatively easy to get to.
Pics...
Right hand mount
Left hand mount
Wonky engine!
Oh, ingore the odd wiper position - something to be sorted this weekend...
>> Edited by Uriel on Wednesday 3rd August 19:52
I'm pleased that it's not the 'box at fault, though!
How perfectly round should the mounts be? Are they expected to get a bit oval/squished or is that the end of the life for the mount? I'm hoping it is this right hand mount since it looks relatively easy to get to.
Pics...
Right hand mount
Left hand mount
Wonky engine!
Oh, ingore the odd wiper position - something to be sorted this weekend...
>> Edited by Uriel on Wednesday 3rd August 19:52
Your photos aren't working! But I'd say even a reasonably old engine mount would still be round, mine were when I replaced them as they were perishing. As you say, hopefully just this.
But if it comes to it, it's easy to check the bush I mention in that thread. You can unscrew the gearlever from above from inside the car to inspect the condition of the bush. I ended up being able to get R, 1 & 2 fine, but 3 & 4 were very close to being unselectable due to being too far right. Mine had always been like that since I bought the car though.
FYI, there's only one gearbox mount on mine, this is a horizontal plate with rubber inner, attaching to two plates on the chassis, again horizonatal.
But if it comes to it, it's easy to check the bush I mention in that thread. You can unscrew the gearlever from above from inside the car to inspect the condition of the bush. I ended up being able to get R, 1 & 2 fine, but 3 & 4 were very close to being unselectable due to being too far right. Mine had always been like that since I bought the car though.
FYI, there's only one gearbox mount on mine, this is a horizontal plate with rubber inner, attaching to two plates on the chassis, again horizonatal.
Looks like you need a new engine mount.
Easy enough to replace. Just need to support the engine on a trolley jack. Might as well do both if they're not too dear.
As the gearbox is bolted rigidly to the back of the bellhousing/engine, then any lean on the engine will also affect the gearbox and gear lever angle.
Easy enough to replace. Just need to support the engine on a trolley jack. Might as well do both if they're not too dear.
As the gearbox is bolted rigidly to the back of the bellhousing/engine, then any lean on the engine will also affect the gearbox and gear lever angle.
I reckon the torque has twisted the chassis so the pinion bellcrank lever no longer lines up with the inverted trunnion splinge pin.
Try a Number 7 dial micro-ammeter and see whether the lobe-to-clutch distance is more or less what it should be. I forget the actual dimension but it's in Vol. 2 of the Steve Hearth bible.
To adjust, wind the grommet-flange back until you can see your threads in the rear window. Then insert a male shaft into the female receptacle to hold things in place while you clout the bastard with a 7-pounder.
That should fettle it!
Try a Number 7 dial micro-ammeter and see whether the lobe-to-clutch distance is more or less what it should be. I forget the actual dimension but it's in Vol. 2 of the Steve Hearth bible.
To adjust, wind the grommet-flange back until you can see your threads in the rear window. Then insert a male shaft into the female receptacle to hold things in place while you clout the bastard with a 7-pounder.
That should fettle it!
Forums | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff