Technical Gearstick wobble

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Technical Gearstick wobble

Voko

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A random question, how much movement should I expect in the gear knob when going over bumps. Mine has quite a wobble from side to side, when I'm not holding it, in any gear. If I try and move it myself it seems solid, so I guess the wobble is being 'driven' from gearbox movement. Is this normal or could it mean one or more of the engine/gearbox mounts need attention? There's no movement coming on/off the power Any thoughts welcome!

Mike
 
You may want to check your engine and gearbox mounts are OK.

If they are dubious, broken, etc. then the engine and gearbox mass will move about and thus transmit this movement to the gear change linkages.

However the gear lever and gear change linkages are not going to be able to really modulate the engine and gearbox mass so will no doubt feel firm from the driver's point of view.
 
The link rod you can see from the engine bay. One end is connected to a lever on the gearbox, directly below the brake servo, other end is connected to the selector rod that pivots on top of the steering rack. Doubt it has come disconnected as you wouldn't be able to travel across the gate, but worth looking at. The pivot on the steering rack is hard to get to and see from any position, but the pivot is a ball pin and is housed in a plastic bush, they have been known to split.
 
The link rod you can see from the engine bay. One end is connected to a lever on the gearbox, directly below the brake servo, other end is connected to the selector rod that pivots on top of the steering rack. Doubt it has come disconnected as you wouldn't be able to travel across the gate, but worth looking at. The pivot on the steering rack is hard to get to and see from any position, but the pivot is a ball pin and is housed in a plastic bush, they have been known to split.
Thanks Dave, that's useful. I was playing while driving along in the sunshine today :), and I could stop the wobble with my fingertips, so I think it is likely excess play somewhere, rather than engine mounts. Gear linkages have always been a bit of a mystery to me.... must do some research!
 
Thought I’d have another look at this as it seemed to be getting worse. I’d already changed the rear gearbox mount, as that seemed to be the most obvious weak spot, that made no difference. Then I changed the front gearbox mount and that had definitely seen better days...pretty easy job and gearstick wobble has gone! So I stand corrected!

I did think about changing the one at the engine end, but that looks OK and is a lot more expensive....
 

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