Gear stick not centering

rhythmstick · Postby **rhythmstick** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:52 am

Hi Guys
New to the forum, and have a 2003 NB which i bought about 2 months ago with only 42,000km on the clock ;)

Anyway, yesterday as I came out of reverse, and now the gear stick doesn't centre. What I mean by this, is if I am in neutral, and go between 1st and 2nd, or right into reverse, it just stays there instead of springing back. The gears themselves still work, and there is a little bit of spring left.
What could cause this?

Also, I THINK my clutch is on the way out. It occasionally squeeks when changing between 1st and 2nd, and 2nd and 3rd, which i think could be the throw bearing.
I bought it from a Mazda dealership, and they said they serviced it before giving it to me. Surely if they had, the clutch should have been replaced if it's at this point already?

Thanks
Simon

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:23 am

Welcome!

Had this on a similarly low km NA8 & it turned out to be the gearbox oil, as the turret oil in the 5 speed is separate to the main body of the gearbox. But on the 6 speed the turret oil's not separate, so less likely to be overlooked during servicing. Start with checking the inner & outer gear lever rubber boots under the transmission tunnel console, & it might be worth replacing the GB oil, unless you have proof the service that was done included changing GB oil.

Ref sqeak, perhaps the Mazda dealer didn't notice it :wink:

- take it back quickly & get them to sort it, especially now there are the two issues.

rhythmstick · Postby **rhythmstick** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:41 am

Thanks Speed Racer!

I had a thought that it may be the oil too, giving that it feels a bit tacky. I will give them a call on monday about it, as I don't really think this should be happening this soon! I wouldn't be suprised if they missed it, they did a poor job of cleaning it before delivery.

My service is due in January, but I'll see what they say. Lucky I took out that 5 year warrantee ;)

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:58 am

only thing with the oil is, would have expected it to not centre from when you first drove it, rather than start a couple of months later. the rubber boots are litterally perishable items, but usually last longer than 7 years, but worth a check. more familiar with the turret of the 5 speed, where the gearlever is sited, so it may be that the 6 speed turret & gearlever have additional parts.

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:47 pm

Also try the nylon bushing at the end of the gear lever. This can be loose and can jam the gear lever. I replaced mine when the car had 5000km on it as the gear lever would come completely 'unstuck', requiring a foreceful hit on it when it was in neutral to reseat the bushing.

Should be a $7 part of so, and 10 minutes to replace

rhythmstick · Postby **rhythmstick** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:49 pm

Thanks again guys. Ive found this link (from a different forum sorry

) that sounds like it'll help: http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/201.aspx
The mention of gear change quality and excessive heat were of particular interest, as well as the guide. I'll have a squiz and let you know.

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 6:16 am

rhythmstick wrote:Thanks again guys. Ive found this link (from a different forum sorry ) that sounds like it'll help: http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/201.aspx
The mention of gear change quality and excessive heat were of particular interest, as well as the guide. I'll have a squiz and let you know.

Bear in mind that guide is for an NA, which has the 5 speed gearbox, and different centre console, so don't got by those part numbers. Also the 5th screw holding the console in is under the power window switches rather than the ashtray as shown. The power window switches may be popped out by inserting a thin, flat blade at the rear of the switch escutcheon and levering them out.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 10:52 am

Just take the car to the dealer and get them to check it- I think it very unlikely it has any connection to oil. Insofar as the clutch is concerned you could get another opinion- clutch throwout bearings usually make a noise when not under load however best to get someone who is trained to comment. A car dríven normally ie not thrashed or trashed is likely to have a clutch lasting well past 43k klm's

rhythmstick · Postby **rhythmstick** » Sun Dec 19, 2010 4:42 pm

Hey guys
Sorry it's been ages, but I've finally got around to peaking under to console. It looks like the lower boot is gone. Is there somewhere a little more local to Sydney than Mania, where I can grab one for a decent price, over the counter?
Thanks for all your suggestions, by the way.