Lots of play in gear stick

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:21 pm

Hi Guys and Gals,
2 weeks ago I was driving and I could feel about 2cm of play in the gear stick whilst it was in gear. This was very abnormal as it is always rock solid. Got back hom and took the console and shifter boots out and found the 4 bolts that hold the top plate onto the gearbox were about 5mm loose! :shock:

Tightened them as best as I could. 2 were easily accessible and the other 2 weren't. I just did them as best as I could but it was far from satisfying.

Does anyone have any idea on how I could access them to tightem them properly? Obviously I can't get a socket in there. Why would these have some loose in the first place? I have a short shift kit astalled if that makes any difference.

These are the bolts i'm talking about. As you can see, 2 of them are shirlded by the body. Never mind the red arrow.

Cheers,
Bevan

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:27 pm

Can you get to them with an open end spanner?

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:42 pm

JBT wrote:Can you get to them with an open end spanner?

Yeah, that's how I tightened them up, but when it got harder, the flex on the spanner negated the tiny workspace I have to work with.

Maybe I just need a better quality spanner.

Uncle Arthur · Postby **Uncle Arthur** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:10 pm

Bevan wrote:
JBT wrote:Can you get to them with an open end spanner?
Yeah, that's how I tightened them up, but when it got harder, the flex on the spanner negated the tiny workspace I have to work with.

Maybe I just need a better quality spanner.

Sounds like you've hit the nail (nut) on the head.........

A 12 cut spanner will give you a greater range of angles/degree of adjustment.

There's a good article/s on Autospeed on choosing the right tool for the job - essential reading for any aspiring backyard gearhead.....

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:57 pm

Actually, I forgot. I'm getting my hands on a set of Kincrome ratchet spanners this weekend! Should do the job perfectly.

Uncle Arthur wrote:There's a good article/s on Autospeed on choosing the right tool for the job - essential reading for any aspiring backyard gearhead.....

I thought you were going to call me a backyard spanner as I was was reading that! :lol:

jules · Postby **jules** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:05 pm

or a uni attachment.

Jules

AJ · Postby AJ » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:23 pm

jules wrote:or a uni attachment.

Jules

what's he need boags for??

ampz · Postby **ampz** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:32 pm

Bahahahaha!!!!

Are they 14mm?
If so i have just the right spanner for the job

Otherwise your best bet will be to unblt the rear of the transmission form the PPF and lower it slightly on a hydraulic jack to get to those bolts.

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:55 pm

ampz wrote:Are they 14mm?
If so i have just the right spanner for the job

I THINK it's 12mm, but i'll check this weekend when I tighten them up again. What so special about that 14mm in particular?

ampz wrote:Otherwise your best bet will be to unblt the rear of the transmission form the PPF and lower it slightly on a hydraulic jack to get to those bolts.

I on'y ever want to do that once, and that's when I change the clutch (predicting early next year).

ampz · Postby **ampz** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:00 pm

I have had it for about 15 years and it is bent!

The only way i could adjust the timing on my 327 ci Kingswood! :lol:

I wish i still had that car :cry:

PT · Postby PT » Fri May 29, 2009 12:38 pm

Bumping an old post - sorry...

Did this fix the issue?

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Fri May 29, 2009 1:06 pm

Yes it did PT. Beverly isn't on the forum much these days... he got tired of being passed by SP drivers on runs and went away to sulk a bit

PT · Postby PT » Fri May 29, 2009 2:05 pm

bigdog wrote:Yes it did PT. Beverly isn't on the forum much these days... he got tired of being passed by SP drivers on runs and went away to sulk a bit

Thanks bd - will give that a go tomorrow.

Poor Bev hey - I personally wouldn't know what thats like. :mrgreen:

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Fri May 29, 2009 6:59 pm

The gear change quality on my car was getting to be pretty average. I thought the synchros were on the way out on 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear. I pulled the console out to check the condition of the rubber boots and while it was pulled to bits I checked those four bolts and they were all loose. The boots were fine, I regreased the ball on the base of the gear stick and tightened up the 4 bolts and the gear change quality improved dramatically, no more crunches between gears.

Hellmun · Postby **Hellmun** » Fri May 29, 2009 7:32 pm

When my gear shifter was sloppy I found all the bolts were tight, the boots were torn but most importantly...the nylon cup on the bottom on the stock shifter was gone.... made it have a huge amount of sloppiness even in gear though but just left and right.