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MG MGF Technical - Gear Linkage Shenanigans

Folks,

[This is a repost of a question/request on t'other side; I'd really appreciate any advice/input ;-)]

Yesterday in the F, 60mph bumpy country roads into a wee village; went to drop down into fourth; found to my horror that the gear stick had turned into a large wooden spoon for stirring soup; *no* connection with the now-stuck-in-fifth gearbox at all.

Two and a half hours later (and God bless the AA), the F's up on hydraulics. Fifteen seconds later, the mechanic *reconnects* the end of the gear cable and the selector on the gearbox.

"You'll need to have that cable/cable-end/connector/grommet replaced", says he, "and take her handy changing gear."

In this pic from Tony's excellent site, http://www.apttony.co.uk/Pics2/SSK_Frame6.JPG, it's the *lower* ball joint in the picture (I think). I've been told that the linkage balls (nylon on old Rovers?) were prone to wear, so what I really need is the part number of the linkage element. Or elements, may as well replace them both.

This is a DIY job, btw. Rover dealer, barge pole.

Thanks!
Col
C McIlwaine

When flicking through some kit car magazines (one day I'll build my own car!), I happened across some suitable threaded ball-joints that would readily replace the standard cheapo nylon ones. Effectively, these look the same as those used on Mike's SSK.

So your options are to:
1. buy in the standard parts, and replace like for like.
2. buy in a pair of rose joints, and do a little 'engineering' to the gearbox selector arm ;o) Rather more involved of course, but more rewarding for the dedicated DIY'er
3. Buy a replacement 'quick shift' kit from Mike Satur, Techspeed or Brown and Gammons :o)
Rob Bell

Thanks, Rob!

Just over ten minutes, that's service!

I was kinda thinking along the lines of option 3 (the SSK from MS)... if I'd've taken the time to fully *read* the article on Tony's site instead of just looking at the pretty pictures, I might've seen the 'optional' rear bell crank assembly.

Tony, if you happen by, or if anyone else has done the SSK conversion, what kinda time are we looking at, start to finish?

Ta!
Col, HGF-less 97 VVC
Colin McIlwaine

Colin, there may be more pictures on Andy's site: http://www.sfforever.co.uk/ I think that fitting time is about two hours? Not done this myself though, so that's not a definitive comment! LOL
Rob Bell

Hey Dont tempt fate with the HGF Boasts....oeerrr!
Neil

Neil,

;-)

Last Saturday, *blew out* a tyre on my wife's Scenic with a canyon-sized pothole at speed. Change of trousers required.

Monday, someone syphoned about 600 litres of kerosene outa my home heating tank. Coldest damn day of the year.

Tuesday, my wife's 2 year old Scenic blew a coil, 100 euro, ta very much, had missed a service, no warranty mate.

Yesterday, gear linkage shenanigans above.

Surely there's some force awork in the universe that will protect me from the evils of HGFs for a while longer...? I've suffered enough ;-(

Fingers and toes crossed,
Col
Colin McIlwaine

Hello

I need help desperately!

I own a 1.8i VVC and one of the gear linkage cables has failed! My local MG Rover garage quoted me over £500 to get it repaired!

Does anyone know of a good MG Mechanic who can do it cheaper for me?

Any help would be gratefully appreciated!

Cheers

Cameron
Cameron

Try getting quotes from Brown and Gammons in Baldock and Techspeed near Leamington. Both will give you competitive quotes (ie cheaper than a main dealers!)

If you fancy giving it a go on a DIY basis, then have a read through Valter's excellent instructions (sorry for lack of photos - it's difficult to photograph what's being done!) - http://www.mgf.ultimatemg.com/gearbox_cable.html
Rob Bell

Some old pics from Dirk and mine are at http://www.mgfcar.de/gear_select/index.htm
Some fit to Valters description, other show the problem with breaking cable end in principals.

The ball joint is no standard BS or DIN/ISO unfortunately. (standard 13mm ball joint is usual with M8 short thread joint, instead of required M6 with long joint)
http://www.hanser.ch/71802.htm (i.e.)

Need to add, the nylon bearing is not the cheaper, but the more expensive sort of ball bearing. ;)
However, I'd go for steel bearing with outer rubber gasket to keep them dust protected and hold the grease. Have found a source, but the supplier has MOQ of 150 pcs.

Cheers
Dieter
Dieter K.

Gentlemem,

Bell crank ordered from B&G on Thursday arrived today! Remarkable... postage from the UK to Ireland sometimes (usually?) gets delayed somewhere over the Isle of Man.

Anyhow, I'll get myself some axle stands this week and have a crack at replacing the assembly on Saturday.

Tony, Rob, Dieter & Valter, thanks in advance for the website instructions...

Col
Colin McIlwaine

This thread was discussed between 05/02/2004 and 09/02/2004

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