Technical Play in the gearstick

[gadge]

The gearstick in my Punto has quite a lot of side to side play in it when it’s in gear. Is this a common thing? The car has done 101000 miles so it’s had plenty of movements in its 16 year life so I’m imagining that something has worn out but would it be at the gearbox end such as the cable ends or an issue with the base of the stick itself?

 

[judderbar]

The gearstick in my Punto has quite a lot of side to side play in it when it’s in gear. Is this a common thing? The car has done 101000 miles so it’s had plenty of movements in its 16 year life so I’m imagining that something has worn out but would it be at the gearbox end such as the cable ends or an issue with the base of the stick itself?

Could it be the cable wearing out? Mine has 240,000km. The gear lever feels like it is directly connected to the gearbox.

 

[Brendan W]

Get someone to waggle the stick as you look at the connections at the gearbox. I suspect there will be little or nothing.
Lift the gearstick gaitor and have a look at the free play in the bushes at the bottom of the stick. There may be some here.