Gearbox troubles!

[lady topaz]

My reverse has been getting progressively harder to engage ending up with it being a two handed operation. From there, engaging 1st and 2nd when cold became a graunching nightmare. I had it adjusted whilst the car was in having the wheel done but the problem has become worse.
Apparently AM have advised the dealer to replace the Bell Crank Assembly, requiring the removal of the gearbox.
Can anyone here explain in laymans terms what this Assembly is and what it does?
Also is it a serious problem which should concern me for the future. It worries me that something like this should fail in a car only a year old with a few thousand miles on the clock.
If its a case of "they all do that madam" then I wont be so alarmed.

Thanks

Di

[lady topaz]

livinthedream said:

There is a known issue with 1st and 2nd being stiff when cold and AFAIK its a free fix from AM.

This is far beyond the usual stiffness which I have become used to after nearly a years driving. As I said the dealer did attempt an adjustment but is now going down the Bell Crank Assembly route.

[lady topaz]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

The bellcrank sits atop the rear transaxle and is connected to the cockpit shift lever via two cables. Cable movement when shifting causes the bellcrank (just a long flat piece with a pivot point on the transaxle and with the cables connected) to move back and forth to select the gears inside the transaxle.

Thanks for that Steve and sorry re the spelling of bellcrank. I didnt realise it was one word. I am not technically blessed. Do you know how this could fail, as from your description it seems a very simple part.

Di

[lady topaz]

rick-derby- said:

Hi Di yours as it is a later car will already have the modified lever and later level of oil, I would suspect the little rubber insert at the end of one of the cables has started to split, seen a few, this causes exactly the problem you describe, another concern is where the outer cables fit onto the top of the transaxle these can ride up also causing this issue the second one is an easy fix, the first requires cable replacement, I would be surprised if it does turn out to be the lever,

Hiya Rick.

Hopefully you are fully recovered. In your opinion is the bellcrank assembly replacement going to solve my problem?


Di

[lady topaz]

rick-derby- said:

If they are checking or replacing the bell crank lever then the two other possible causes will be very evident as they will have to be removed to replace the lever, so I would not be concerned, just too note this is not a common issue on the later cars, And thanks Di much better Kay whisking me off too the sun for a couple of days recuperation,

Edited by rick-derby- on Friday 7th May 21:20

Thanks Rick.

Enjoy your very well deserved break.

Di