156 gear selector problem

[correlejco]

My elderly (1998) 2.0 TS 156 has suddenly decided it doesn't like 3rd, 4th, 5th and reverse. The gear lever flops from side to side like .... well, a very floppy thing. 1st and 2nd are OK. There seem to be 2 cables from the gear lever to the box, and one cable doesn't move much, so I assume that it's a broken cable.

Seems OK at the gearbox end so I need to get under the gear lever to look. It looks like an exhaust / tunnel / heat shield removal job with much swearing and grief.

Any advice on whether this is the likely diagnosis, before I start dismantling?

Is it safe to drive in 2nd (at about 40mph / 4500rpm for about 15 miles?

[TS1980]

Hi,

I've got 54 reg 156 that had a similar problem, gear selection was 'floppy' in all gears and I lost 6th completely. Turns out it was a plate under the gear lever which had a crack in it, which expanded when trying to change gear. Mine was done under warranty, so I can't help with the cost I'm afraid.