Technical Tempra 1.6 i.e SX gear linkage problems

[FiatTempra]

Hello friends.

I am a happy owner of a Fiat Tempra from 1996. This winter my gearstick started to be stiff and it and it became harder and harder to change gears. I also discovered that 1st, 3rd and 5th gears were hard to "find", but 2nd, 4th and Reverse were easy to find.

First I was afraid it was the gearbox, but now I think it`s the linkage. I have unscrewed the 3 rods going into the gearbox and tried to grease them up. It didnt work. When I refitted the gearactivator rod and the gearselector rod I could change gears, however the gearstick was "loose" in a way. Thats ofcourse beacause I didnt refit the 3rd rod whose job is to stabilize. When I am tightening the 3rd one, slowly by slowly the gearstick is getting stiffer again.

Have some of you experienced this?
I appreciate answers.

Greetings,
Svein Ola, Norway

 

[FiatTempra]

How to get to the gearlever bolt?

I am still trying to fix my gears, but the problem is I don't know were the problem is. Now I am trying to get to the bolt at the end of the gearlever (gearstick) but I don't now were I can get to it.
Does anyone now how I can remove the protectionshield over the catalatic converter i.e the shield which is over the exhaust pipe, lambda sensor and the catalatic converter. I have undone all the bolts I can see under there, but I won't come of.

I appreciate answers.
-Svein Ola

 

[Wentworth]

Check the selector pivot which is mounted above the steering rack. They can be prone to seizing due to them being difficult to get at but they are fitted with a grease nipple.

 

[FiatTempra]

Thanks. I didnt take it off but I sprayed some WD40 and it became a little better. Next time I think I will try to take it of as you said. Is it hard to take off?

 

[Wentworth]

Yes as the linkage is difficult to get at. You may have to lower the steering rack to make it a little easier but you may get a grease gun on the nipple. Its on the top of the pivot near the bulkhead/floor seam.

 

[FiatTempra]

Thank you!