Heavy gearchange

[wedg1e]

My S3 seems to need the muscles of the Incredible Hulk to shift forward & backward through the gate, yet the action doesn't seem that stiff if one lies under the car and operates the rod linkage near the box (as yet I've only tried this with the car stationary and the engine off! ) The lateral (side-to-side, ie cable) action is fine.
In comparison my TVR has a gearchange that wouldn't present a quadraplegic nonagenarian with any difficulty... and that is saying something for TVR!
As I find it hard to believe that Kylie and other lady Esprit drivers hereabouts are built like Schwarzenegger ( pure speculation, I haven't actually seen any of them... ) I have to therefore presume some defect with the car or inadequacy in my muscle structure. Given that I am built like the proverbial brick outhouse, I am postulating a vehicular maladjustment or lubricitive deficiency: to wit, maybe there's no bloody oil in the gearbox? Or is it that 2 years of slumber 'neath a moss-encrusted carport has taken its toll on once freely- sliding components, and a damn good thraping down the nearest country lane will see normal service resumed?

Analysis, Mr. Spock?



Ian

[95LOTUS]

At the risk of asking the obvious, have you checked the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder? I only know this, ehemmmm, because it happened to me. I called the mechanic for the PO (non-Lotus), and he hit it on the nose. Saved me a trip to the LOTU$ garage.

Bill
'95 S4S

[kylie]

Ian wanna arm wrestle? Nah kidding. The boxes are nothchy even on my model, but not to the point where you need two hands to shift like youre describing

I treated mine new fluids, SS braided hose, slave cylinder rebuild and a general checking over by the mechanic to make sure everything else is typical. Worth while.

[kylie]

>> Edited by kylie on Monday 15th March 04:32

[maigret]

Check that none of the pivot pins that carry the linkage to the rear has come loose. I had the rear pivot come out a couple of months ago. The shift still worked but didn't feel right.

Have you tried disconnecting the linkage at the box to determine if it is the linkage?

Does it have Citroen or Renault box?

[lotusguy]

wedg1e said:

My S3 seems to need the muscles of the Incredible Hulk to shift forward & backward through the gate, yet the action doesn't seem that stiff if one lies under the car and operates the rod linkage near the box (as yet I've only tried this with the car stationary and the engine off! ) The lateral (side-to-side, ie cable) action is fine. In comparison my TVR has a gearchange that wouldn't present a quadraplegic nonagenarian with any difficulty... and that is saying something for TVR! As I find it hard to believe that Kylie and other lady Esprit drivers hereabouts are built like Schwarzenegger ( pure speculation, I haven't actually seen any of them... ) I have to therefore presume some defect with the car or inadequacy in my muscle structure. Given that I am built like the proverbial brick outhouse, I am postulating a vehicular maladjustment or lubricitive deficiency: to wit, maybe there's no bloody oil in the gearbox? Or is it that 2 years of slumber 'neath a moss-encrusted carport has taken its toll on once freely- sliding components, and a damn good thraping down the nearest country lane will see normal service resumed? Analysis, Mr. Spock? Ian

Ian,

The issue is probably worn Tube End rubber bushings (Lotus Part# A079F6007F - 4@) or Nylon Tube End bearings (Lotus Part # A079F6008F - 8@). Those at the rear Gear Change Tubes on the Translator (Pivot Bracket) are relatively simple and self-explanatory to change.

Those at the front of the Gear Change Tube are more difficult as the Crossgate Cable and Gear Lever Assembly. must be loosened to fit them. Still not impossible, but more work. Be sure to radjust everything on reassembly.

As long as you're at it, check the Reverse Gate and Spirol Pin for wear on the Gear Lever Assembly. Also check that the Crossgate Bellcrank Lever hasn't been tightened too tight. Happy Motoring!... Jim'85TE

[autocross7]

Hi Ian.
Don't rule out your pressure plate either (that ended up being my issue). I started off with a "notchy" 2nd to 3rd change that got worse and eventually I ended up having to rev for changes up and down to get through the gates. Finnally, (pulling into the drivaway thank God) it simply failed. The clutch peddal never felt weak until the pressure plate got really bad (this occured over about three weeks - but got really bad and jumped to worse in about 15 minutes).

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

[wedg1e]

Thanks for that guys (and Kylie )... something else to do one weekend!
The clutch hydraulics have just been overhauled but I haven't fiddled with the threaded adjuster as yet: it may certainly be a clutch prob though...

It's a Citroen transmission.

Ian

[lotusguy]

autocross7 said:

Hi Ian. Don't rule out your pressure plate either (that ended up being my issue). I started off with a "notchy" 2nd to 3rd change that got worse and eventually I ended up having to rev for changes up and down to get through the gates. Finnally, (pulling into the drivaway thank God) it simply failed. The clutch peddal never felt weak until the pressure plate got really bad (this occured over about three weeks - but got really bad and jumped to worse in about 15 minutes). Drive topless!!! Cameron

Cameron,

I hate to disagree, but a faulty Pressure Plate may make engagement difficult/impossible, but it would have nothing to do with the amount of effort required to move the gear lever. You would just not be able to get the tranny into gear, or move the lever that final distance to engagement. Other than that, the gear lever would operate with normal effort.

The issue the lister has described denotes difficulty with moving the lever at all and this can pretty much only be the result of binding/drag at the joints and pivots in the linkage. This is what makes me conclude it's most likely a bearing/bushing problem, or more remotely, an alignment problem in the linkage such as a loose Translator (Pivot Bracket) or bent Gear Change Tubes. Happy Motoring!... Jim'85TE

[Freshcut]

Knowing very little about the Esprit gearchange assembly you may take this with a grain of salt, however on most cars if you wish to rule out the clutch assembly (pressure plate as was mentioned earlier) compare shifting effort when the engine is running vs. not running. If effort is about equal you should check linkages/cables/etc. for binding or misadjustments. if the transmission shifts easier when not running it could indicate a problem with the clutch not fully disengauging including pilot bushing, clutch plate damage, binding cable/air in hydraulic system etc.

If you further wish to rule out or identify the problem with shift cables/linkages in most cases you can disconnect them from the transaxle (most use a ball and socket that pops off) and check for smooth shifter operation at the shift lever.

[autocross7]

Hi Jim...
I agree with your assement to the fullest. You are def far more of an expert on these things than I am!

I simply added the pressure plate as something to "check" if all else failed. My pressure plate failure was quite interesting because it did start by shifting hard... not what I'd expext for this type of failure. I'd pull or push hard while reving and it would finally engage... until it didn't at all... as I would expect from this type of failure.

Once removed I could see why it acted so strange building up to failure. Water had made its way at some point up into or down into the bell house. One small area the size of a US quarter rusted up. The plate would (I guess) get stuck and then free up. I "rapped" on it with a rubber hammer a bit once it was off and the dang thing freeded up... cleaned it and turned into a clock.

I am glad to see you are still on the board!!! You have been/are a really great souce for info. I still think you should put in a book!
Have you brought the Merc home yet?

Drive topless!!!
Cameron

>> Edited by autocross7 on Wednesday 17th March 04:54