Gear Lever gone into 'wizards sleeve' mode

Mike_D · 1-2-09, 2:22

Happy New Year everyone

My MX6 celebrated by its gear lever becoming sloppier than a sloppy thing. it happened while parked in a car park, and was fine before, so that's why i'm a little stumped! I've had a quick investigate, and it definitely seems to be from the gear lever to shift rod coupling under the car.

Is this a normal fault? I'd not have thought it'd be the bushes as it was fine before it failed completely, maybe a nut has dropped off?

I'm going to get it up on my mates ramp at the weekend, but wanted to see if anyone could give me a heads up first.

Cheers

Mike

**windy_mx6** · 1-2-09, 4:11

not sure if theres a poly bush in the linkage somewhere that sounds like its perished and fallen out?

If a nut had dropped off then whatever it was attached to would drop off too and you would proberbly loose the linkage all together.

Parallex · 1-2-09, 9:07

Hey Mike.

My car had this issue when I first bought it. Basically there is a weakness in the design of the dual rod system connecting the gear stick, anchor bolt, and the gearbox. It will have split down the middle due to metal fatigue.

You can get the part from Mazda, or from a breakers. I got mine from Mazda, it wasn't cheap, but it wasn't crazy expensive either.

Its a simple job to replace it - as long as you can get under the car easily, and you don't mind getting your hands dirty around the exhaust. Also, make sure the exhaust is cold before you do it, otherwise you will burn yourself.

Ben.

P.S. It could be the anchor bolt has come out, but that's fairly unlikely because of the way it is designed.

Mike_D · 1-2-09, 16:12

Thnks for the replies gents

I'm getting it on my mates 4 poster on Sunday morning, so fingers crossed i'll be able to see exactly what's going on then. I figured something must have broken or dropped off as it was fine when I parked up, it didn't have any symptoms that it wass about to fail.

Parallex, do you mind me asking what the rod cost please? Is it just a steel affair i'd be able to sleeve / weld up for the minute?

Thankyou kindly

Mike

**windy_mx6** · 1-2-09, 16:16

might be a good time to buy a shortshifter if you need to remove/re-assemble. They sell for under £20 on ebay.

If you have a broken link rod I might be able to get one off the j-spec breaker car if it helps you out. Fingers crossed its not that serious tho.

**windy_mx6** · 1-2-09, 16:17

here you go

MAZDA MX6 - FORD PROBE 93-97 SHORT SHIFT SHIFTER on eBay, also Engine Tuning Parts, Performance Tuning Parts, Car Tuning Styling, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 10-Jan-09 07:05:23 GMT)

Parallex · 1-3-09, 11:45

I seem to recall it being around £80 - but don't quote me on that. I think Windy's idea is probably best, putting one on from a breaker car would be best.

The one that broke on my car had been welded previously - so it won't hold permanently. But that is definitely an option.

Ben.

**nasher** · 1-10-09, 15:32

There are two bushes you should replace in the linkage first, one each end. They cost me about £3 from Mazda, and cured the same problem you describe.

Mike_D · 1-18-09, 11:05

I got this sorted the other week, it was as Parrallex said, the dual rod linkage where it joins the bottom plate of the gearstick had fractured. It's all welded back up now and is working fine again

Thanks for everyones help

Parallex · 1-18-09, 14:34

Glad you got it sorted out mate. Keep on truckin'.

Ben.