Discussion
The gearshift on my S1 has become increasingly sloppy to the point where I'm starting to miss changes.
When it's in gear (any gear), there is about an inch of side to side 'slop'. There is no significant fore and aft play. It feels like the problem might be at the cabin end, rather than the gearbox end. I've tried to get the interior trim off to have a look at the linkage, but I can't undo the gear knob. Obviously I can use more force, but I don't really want to take the chance of damaging something unless I have to. So I'll be happy if someone tells me it's more than likely a problem at the gearbox end.
Can anyone point me at possible causes, or put up a link to another repair/maintenance webpage?
When it's in gear (any gear), there is about an inch of side to side 'slop'. There is no significant fore and aft play. It feels like the problem might be at the cabin end, rather than the gearbox end. I've tried to get the interior trim off to have a look at the linkage, but I can't undo the gear knob. Obviously I can use more force, but I don't really want to take the chance of damaging something unless I have to. So I'll be happy if someone tells me it's more than likely a problem at the gearbox end.
Can anyone point me at possible causes, or put up a link to another repair/maintenance webpage?
If you haven't already got one, you need the Eliseparts linkage kit at the gerabox end (which means removing the undertray to fit), and if you're buggering about at the gearstick end, I'd be inclined to get a quickshift gearlever while you're at it (though I do know of some people who don't like them).
The gear knobs are always as tight as hell, simple as that... you need to wrap something around it to protect the alloy from marking, then get a pair of mole grips on it.
The gear knobs are always as tight as hell, simple as that... you need to wrap something around it to protect the alloy from marking, then get a pair of mole grips on it.
Sam_68 said:
The gear knobs are always as tight as hell, simple as that... you need to wrap something around it to protect the alloy from marking, then get a pair of mole grips on it.
It's not so much marking the alloy knob that worries me, as putting so much torque on the lever that I twist something out of shape at the bottom. I've had a good go at this already, but backed off when I felt I'd reached a point where something might go 'ping'.
If your budget is tight,then just changing the bushes in the linkage set is really all you need to do - I think they are available on ebay or through someone on Seloc for 25 quid or so.
The gear linkage body will only need cleaning and greasing.
As said above, mixed reviews on the shortshifter, and as most of us don't like admitting we bought a turkey, I tend to believe it cannot be that good at all.
The gear linkage body will only need cleaning and greasing.
As said above, mixed reviews on the shortshifter, and as most of us don't like admitting we bought a turkey, I tend to believe it cannot be that good at all.
Well I don't think that there is really a downside to the shortshifter, I think that the stick is slightly shorter (feels it) which in my opinion is a slight negative but apart from that I don't think its really made much difference. I certainly think that in 'value for money' terms its not that good a buy, but as I said I don't think its made much difference to the 'feel' of changing gear, which I was hoping it would, but the gearlinkage kit on the other hand has made a very noticable improvement in terms of solidity and 'new-ness' feeling of the gearchange, and I think is well worth the money.
Loudman said:
Well I don't think that there is really a downside to the shortshifter, I think that the stick is slightly shorter (feels it) which in my opinion is a slight negative but apart from that I don't think its really made much difference. I certainly think that in 'value for money' terms its not that good a buy, but as I said I don't think its made much difference to the 'feel' of changing gear, which I was hoping it would, but the gearlinkage kit on the other hand has made a very noticable improvement in terms of solidity and 'newness' feeling of the gearchange, and I think is well worth the money.
Exactly what he said. The shortshifter is probably just personal preference and it depends how long your arms are relative to your seating position. If your gearbox is sloppy giving it a shorter stick is not addressing the cause just trying to mask teh symptoms. The gear linkage (or more precisely the bushes) however is another matter entirely and probably is benefical after a certain amount of mileage/usage.I had exactly this problem with my S1 Exige, 4th to 5th was the worst. When i took the gear stick out i found the plastic cup that retains spigot on the side was completely missing! this meant there was about 10mm of free play left to right, put a new one in and all was well and good again.
HTH's marc.
HTH's marc.
EX51GE R said:
I had exactly this problem with my S1 Exige, 4th to 5th was the worst. When i took the gear stick out i found the plastic cup that retains spigot on the side was completely missing! this meant there was about 10mm of free play left to right, put a new one in and all was well and good again.
HTH's marc.
Aha! I'll make with the mole grips when it stops raining! I've got an Eliseparts kit for the gearbox end too.HTH's marc.
Thanks for all the replies chaps.
Gassing Station | Elise/Exige/Europa/340R | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff