Awkward gearshift

Post by **340kou** » 19 Nov 2004 10:26 pm

Hi

Just recently aquired a 340 GL, 1987. Nice car to drive, but the gear change/selection on all gears is quite sloppy. Most notably changing up from 1st to 2nd, it seems to take a lot of effort to change gear, this also happens occasionally when trying to change down to 1st. Has anyone else had this problem? I was thinking about replacing the linkage bushings etc, has anyone done this and seen any improvement? Could the syncros have something to do with it?

Cheers

Post by **5lab** » 20 Nov 2004 12:02 am

could be your clutch is slipping - does reving the engine up whilst changing gear help?

Post by **340kou** » 20 Nov 2004 12:56 pm

Yeah the clutch is old (as far as I know it hasnt been replaced but dont know for definate) and it does take quite a while to take up power when changing gear, so it could be playing up. I got a new clutch and pressure plate with the car, so might have to consider changing it.

I will be driving very shortly and try reving it when changing gear, see if it makes any difference.

Cheers

Post by **Tom** » 20 Nov 2004 01:36 pm

The box on my DL is very stiff also. It's like the stick's set in concrete. I think it just boils down to the age of the car.

Post by **5lab** » 23 Nov 2004 12:57 am

could be the gearbox oil in both cars needs replacing - often overlooked cos its not under the bonnet, should be done every 3 years iirc

Post by **bogbasic** » 23 Nov 2004 09:44 am

Hello, going from 1st to second gear is always interesting in these cars. When I started driving mine I had to learn the knack of pushing the gear lever well over to the left and at the same time trying a couple of gentle downward pushes to get it to go into second gear. All of what has been mentioned by others is good advice, but you may just need more practice! Also, the position of the detent bracket at the base of the gear lever may be making it difficult to get into second gear - the Haynes manual expains how to adjust this. The very final resort is to have the gearbox removed and looked at by a specialist but this would probably cost a few hundred pounds.

Post by **foggyjames** » 23 Nov 2004 02:48 pm

I wouldn't replace the linkage unless you have to...
1) Part is over £100 new
2) It's a pig of a job

My shift was lovely and loose until the linkage snapped...with the new one its a lot stiffer! Food for thought maybe?

cheers

James

Post by **JOHN360** » 01 Dec 2004 05:35 pm

The usual problem with 1st to 2nd shifts is the reverse inhibiter is slightly out i.e. too far over to the right. Take the gear stick bag off etc which will expose the black plastic bar & 2 screws. Slacken the screws slightly & tap it to the left & keep trying the shift until u r happy with the change.

It's a simple fix which I've done on my last 3 300's, as 1st to 2nd was always a pig on them - don't know why they weren't right from the factory ?

Cheers,

John.

Post by **foggyjames** » 02 Dec 2004 01:44 pm

Interesting...does that only affect 1st > 2nd? I think mine might be a big shifting down too...

cheers

James

Post by **5lab** » 02 Dec 2004 05:33 pm

yeah it would james

might try it on me dads 440.. its wrong the other way..